Reservoirs & Stores
What are rocks to the phosphorus cycle
The biggest store of phosphorus on Earth.
What breaks down rocks and releases phosphorus
Weathering/Erosion
What organisms first use phosphorus from soil
Plants
What do farmers add to crops that increases phosphorus
Fertilizer
What essential molecule for energy in cells needs phosphorus? (hint: FUEEEL)
ATP
What are sediments?
Where phosphorus ends up in the ocean
How do plants take in phosphorus
Through their Roots
How do Animals & Humans get phosphorus?
By eating plants or other animals
What is one way humans can reduce phosphorus pollution
Use less fertilizer & chemicals
Phosphorus is a key part of what genetic molecules?
DNA and RNA
Unlike carbon, phosphorus is not stored in this part of Earth?
Atmosphere
What returns phosphorus to soil when a living organism dies?
Decomposition
What organisms recycle phosphorus by breaking down waste and dead matter?
Decomposers
what farm animals make waste that adds phosphorus to soil & water
Cows/Pigs/Chickens
What part of the cell requires phosphorus? (Hint: it's made out of phospholipids and it works as security)
The cell membrane
What living things store phosphorus?
plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms
What moves phosphorus from land into rivers/lakes
Water/Rain
What molecule for genetic information needs phosphorus?
DNA
What is one problem we as people have caused by using too much phosphorus
Why does the amount of phosphorus in soil decide how well plants grow?
Because if there isn't enough phosphorus, plants can't grow big and strong
What process brings eroded phosphorus back to land?
Uplift
What process traps phosphorus into Rock for millions of Years
Sedimentation
What happens to phosphorus when a living organism dies
It goes back into the soil
(Opinion Based) Give me 3 ways you would prevent phosphorus pollution
(Ask for their personal answer)
How does the phosphorus cycle support the entire food chain?
Plants use phosphorus to grow, and animals (including humans) get it by eating plants or other animals