Cycling of Matter

Question 1

What is inorganic matter?

Answer 1

Lack a carbon backbone or lack hydrogen (CO2)

Question 2

What is organic matter?

Answer 2

Carbon backbone with hydrogen (C6H12O6)

Question 3

What is a carbon source?

Answer 3

When carbon is released into the environment through cellular respiration and combustion

Question 4

What is a carbon sink?

Answer 4

When carbon is removed or stored in reservoirs

Question 5

What are reservoirs for inorganic carbon?

Answer 5

small amount in the atmosphere, dissolved in ocean, and stored in sedimentary rock

Question 6

What are reservoirs for organic carbon?

Answer 6

contained in tissues of living things

Question 7

How much nitrogen is in the atmosphere?

Answer 7

78%

Question 8

What is nitrogen fixation?

Answer 8

Converts nitrogen into forms that are usable by plants

Question 9

What is biological nitrogen fixation?

Answer 9

bacteria found in soil and in root nodules convert nitrogen into usable forms (plants do this)