what is water called when its soaked into the ground?
groundwater
how do animals obtain nitrogen?
by eating plants and other animals
When clouds get too heavy to hold water in the water cycle, what happens?
The water falls to the Earth
What must nitrogen change to, to be more reactive with living things?
ammonia, nitrates
What is another name for rainfall?
Precipitation
what causes water to turn into vapor?
the sun
explain why bacteria is important in the nitrogen cycle.
bacteria are essential to fixing the nitrogen so it can be used by plants
Condensation is when warm vapor rises, gets cold and does what In the water cycle?
Gathers in clouds
What does 'inert' mean?
not readily reactive with organisms
The changing of nitrogen into a more reactive form is called _______ ________.
nitrogen fixation
why is the ocean salty?
ground water picks up salt and minerals and carries it into the water
what biological processes is not linked to the nitrogen cycle?
condensation
Considering the water cycle how old could the water be in glaciers and ice caps?
Millions of years
Explain the problem if too much nitrogen enters an aquatic ecosystem.
TOO MUCH NITROGEN IN AN AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM WILL CAUSE THE ALGAE AND OTHER PLANTS TO GROW OUT OF CONTROL. THIS DAMAGES THE BALANCE OF THE AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM.
Water that soaks into the soil is used by plants or stored as groundwater. What is this called?
Infiltration
what is it called when water goes through the plant and turns into water vapor?
evaporation
What percentage of air is nitrogen?
79%
Name the water cycle processes.
1. Evaporation 2. Transpiration or Evapotranspiration 3. Precipitation
Name the nitrogen cycle processes.
Nitrification, Assimilation, Ammonification, Denitrification
What is a biogeochemical cycle?
Biogeochemical cycles are the pathways a substance takes in the ecosystem as it moves between being in the environment
where is the purest water on earth found?
glaciers and ice caps
What is the main way that fixed nitrogen is released back into the atmosphere?
Denitrifying microbes
Describe one way to conserve water.
Take shorter showers; turn off the water when brushing your teeth; water the lawn in the evening when it is cooler outside; etc.
Give the two ways nitrogen can be fixated so plants can use it to grow.
FIXATED BY BACTERIA FIXATED BY LIGHTENING
When does nitrogen move from an abiotic factor to a biotic factor?
Nitrogen goes from abiotic to biotic when it is taken in by nitrogen fixing bacteria.