Water Cycle
The process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas or vapor.
What is evaporation?
The process by which green plants use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll.
What is photosynthesis?
The process by which nitrogen in the atmosphere is converted into ammonia or related nitrogenous compounds in soil.
What is nitrogen fixation?
What is phosphorus used for in living organisms?
Phosphorus is essential for DNA, RNA, and ATP, making it vital for energy transfer in cells.
How do biogeochemical cycles affect ecosystems?
They regulate the availability of essential nutrients, affecting ecosystem health and productivity.
The process by which water vapor cools and changes back into liquid droplets.
What is condensation?
A natural or artificial reservoir that accumulates and stores carbon-containing chemical compounds for an indefinite period.
The process by which bacteria convert nitrates into nitrogen gas, releasing it back into the atmosphere.
Describe denitrification
Describe the process of weathering in the phosphorus cycle.
Weathering breaks down rocks to release phosphorus, which then becomes available to plants.
What is the relationship between photosynthesis and respiration?
Photosynthesis captures energy and produces oxygen and glucose, while respiration uses those products to release energy.
The process by which water is absorbed by plants and then evaporated from aerial parts, primarily leaves.
Describe transpiration.
How does carbon affect climate?
Increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere contribute to global warming and climate change.
How do plants absorb nitrogen?
Plants absorb nitrogen primarily in the form of nitrates through their roots.
How is phosphorus transported in ecosystems?
Phosphorus moves through soil and water as soil erosion occurs and runoff carries it to aquatic systems.
Explain how energy flows through ecosystems.
Energy flows from producers to consumers and decomposers in a food web, typically decreasing at each trophic level.
What role do rivers play in the water cycle?
Rivers collect and transport water from precipitation back to oceans and lakes, helping to complete the cycle.
Explain the role of decomposers in the carbon cycle.
Decomposers break down dead organisms, returning carbon to the soil and atmosphere.
What is the role of bacteria in the nitrogen cycle?
Bacteria are essential for processes like nitrogen fixation and denitrification, helping convert nitrogen into usable forms for plants.
Why is phosphorus important for agriculture?
Phosphorus is a key nutrient that promotes root development and crop yields.
Describe the impact of human activities on biogeochemical cycles.
Human activities can disrupt natural cycles, leading to issues like pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss.
Explain the importance of groundwater.
Groundwater is a crucial source of drinking water and irrigation, and it helps maintain surface water levels in rivers and lakes.
What human activities increase carbon levels?
Burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes.
Explain how fertilizers affect the nitrogen cycle.
Fertilizers can increase nitrogen levels in soil, but excessive use can lead to runoff and water pollution.
Discuss the impact of runoff on the phosphorus cycle.
Runoff can lead to eutrophication in water bodies, causing algal blooms and oxygen depletion.
What are the consequences of disrupted biogeochemical cycles?
Disruption can lead to environmental problems, including loss of biodiversity, altered climate patterns, and degraded ecosystems.