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General/Other
Water
Carbon
Nitrogen
Sulfur and Phosphorous
100
What is the other name for nutrient cycles?
Biogeochemical cycles
100

What is the process of rain or snowfall called? 

precipitation 

100
In what process do plants remove carbon dioxide from the air?
photosynthesis
100
Why must nitrogen be "fixed"?
the N2 gas in the air is not in a form that is usable by plants
100

Phosphorous enters an ecosystem by 

Weathering of sedimentary rocks 

200
Why do we study biogeochemical cycles as part of ecology?
It studies the interactions between organisms and their environment
200

What is the process of turning a liquid into a gas? 

Evaporation

200

The process of burning fossil fuels, releasing carbon, is called? 

combustion

200

How does nitrogen fixation occur?

nitrogen-fixing bacteria

200

How is How does sulfuric acid returned to the ocean?

acid rain

300

What are abiotic factors? Give an example.

Non-living elements (air, water, sun, etc.)

300

How does water vapor from the atmosphere get to the ground (the process before precipitation)?

condensation

300
How do carbon molecules enter the soil?
decomposition
300
Why is nitrogen so important?
it is used to make amino acids, and ultimately proteins
300

How do plants obtain phosphorous?

absorb through roots (in water or soil)

400

What are biotic factors?

Living elements (plants, animals, etc.)

400

What two things can happen with water after precipitation has returned it to the ground?

Percolation and Surface Runoff 

400
In what process do animals return carbon to the atmosphere?
respiration
400

By what process does nitrogen enter plants from the soil? 

Assimiliation

400

What geological feature is unique to the sulfur cycle? 

volcanoes

500

What are the 5 biogeochemical cycles we have learned about so far?

water, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous, sulfur

500

What is transpiration?

the evaporation of water from plants

500
How have humans drastically altered the carbon cycle?
burning fossil fuels which releases carbon dioxide
500

Nitrogen Fixation turns N2 into what two substances?

Ammonium and Ammonia 

500

what two forms of sulfur occur after sulfate enters the soil? 

Organic and Mineral