Biogeochemical Cycles
Name one human activity that impacts the nitrogen cycle.
What are fertilizers, fossil fuels, etc.
What is a neutral pH?
7 pH
What is an element?
The basic particle that constitutes a chemical element is the atom.
Which biomolecule stores genetic information?
Nucleic acids
How does temperature affect enzyme function?
As the temperature increases, so does the level of enzyme activity
What are two properties of water?
Have surface tension (resists external force)
Likes to stick to itself (beading water due to cohesion)
Be an excellent solvent (forms solutions; dissolves ionic and polar compounds but not nonpolar)
Have capillary action (how it gets from roots to leaves due to adhesion)
Resist temperature change (due to high specific heat)
Be neutral (if it is pure, it will have a pH of 7.0)
Expand when it freezes (ice is less dense than water)
What is the pH of pure water?
7 pH
What type of bond occurs when electrons are transferred between atoms?
Ionic bonds
Name 2 examples of lipids.
Oils, butter, etc.
Give an example of a factor that can affect enzyme activity.
Temperature (too hot or too cold)
Explain the role of phosphorus in biological systems.
Make up phospholipid bilayer and DNA/RNA
Explanation of phosphorus cycle also acceptable
How do bases affect pH levels?
Raise pH or Neutralize acids
What type of bond involves the sharing of electron pairs between atoms?
Covalent bonds
What is the primary function of carbohydrates in living organisms?
Main source of energy
What is a catalyst?
A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change.
Describe the carbon cycle and its significance to ecosystems
Photosynthesis and cellular respiration need to be mentioned
What is the pH range of acids?
>7 pH
What is the difference between polar and nonpolar bonds?
Polar means there is unequal sharing of electrons, while nonpolar means equal sharing.
What is the difference between simple and complex carbohydrates?
Complex carbs have longer, more complex chains of sugar molecules and take longer to digest
How do inhibitors affect enzyme activity?
What is the process by which nitrogen is converted from its atmospheric form into a usable form for plants?
Nitrogen Fixation > Nitrification > Assimilation
Describe the properties of a base.
OH groups, bitter taste, slick/ soapy texture
Describe what hydrogen bonds are and their importance in water.
Electrostatic attractions between the hydrogen and oxygen atoms of adjacent water molecules.
Cause cohesion
Name the four main types of biomolecules and examples of each.
Lipids, Carbohydrates, Proteins, Nucleic Acids
What is the role of an enzyme in a chemical reaction?
Speed up reactions by helping to lower the activation energy needed to start a reaction