Nutrient Cycle

Question 1

What is a nutrient cycle?

Answer 1

A nutrient cycle is the process through which nutrients are transferred between living organisms and the environment.

Question 2

Name the main nutrient cycles studied in A-Level Biology.

Answer 2

The carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, phosphorus cycle, and water cycle.

Question 3

True or False: Nutrient cycles are closed systems.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

What role do decomposers play in nutrient cycles?

Answer 4

Decomposers break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil.

Question 5

Fill in the blank: The process of converting atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for plants is called __________.

Answer 5

nitrogen fixation

Question 6

What organisms are primarily responsible for nitrogen fixation?

Answer 6

Certain bacteria, including Rhizobium and Azotobacter.

Question 7

Explain the term ‘eutrophication’.

Answer 7

Eutrophication is the process by which water bodies receive excess nutrients, leading to algal blooms and oxygen depletion.

Question 8

What is the significance of the carbon cycle?

Answer 8

The carbon cycle regulates Earth’s climate and is essential for the process of photosynthesis.

Question 9

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a stage in the nitrogen cycle? A) Nitrogen fixation B) Ammonification C) Photosynthesis D) Nitrification

Answer 9

C) Photosynthesis

Question 10

What is the primary source of phosphorus in ecosystems?

Answer 10

Phosphorus is primarily sourced from rocks and minerals through weathering.

Question 11

True or False: Plants can directly absorb atmospheric nitrogen.

Answer 11

False

Question 12

What is ammonification?

Answer 12

Ammonification is the process of converting organic nitrogen from dead organisms into ammonia.

Question 13

Fill in the blank: The process by which plants take up nitrates from the soil is known as __________.

Answer 13

assimilation

Question 14

What is the role of mycorrhizal fungi in nutrient cycles?

Answer 14

Mycorrhizal fungi enhance nutrient uptake for plants, particularly phosphorus.

Question 15

Multiple Choice: Which gas is a major contributor to the greenhouse effect? A) Oxygen B) Carbon dioxide C) Nitrogen D) Hydrogen

Answer 15

B) Carbon dioxide

Question 16

What is a biogeochemical cycle?

Answer 16

A biogeochemical cycle is the movement of elements and compounds through biological, geological, and chemical processes.

Question 17

True or False: The water cycle includes processes such as evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.

Answer 17

True

Question 18

What is denitrification?

Answer 18

Denitrification is the process of converting nitrates back into nitrogen gas, returning it to the atmosphere.

Question 19

Fill in the blank: __________ is the main process by which carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere.

Answer 19

Photosynthesis

Question 20

What are the two main forms of nitrogen that plants can absorb?

Answer 20

Nitrate (NO3-) and ammonium (NH4+).

Question 21

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a human activity that disrupts the nitrogen cycle? A) Deforestation B) Fertilizer application C) Urbanization D) All of the above

Answer 21

D) All of the above

Question 22

What is leaching in the context of nutrient cycles?

Answer 22

Leaching is the process by which nutrients are washed out of the soil by water.

Question 23

True or False: Phosphorus cycles are primarily atmospheric.

Answer 23

False

Question 24

What is the effect of excess nitrogen in aquatic ecosystems?

Answer 24

It can lead to algal blooms and subsequent oxygen depletion, harming aquatic life.

Question 25

Fill in the blank: __________ is the term for the movement of water from the ground to the atmosphere.

Answer 25

Evapotranspiration

Question 26

What is the role of plants in the carbon cycle?

Answer 26

Plants absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and release oxygen.

Question 27

Multiple Choice: Which process converts nitrates into nitrogen gas? A) Ammonification B) Denitrification C) Nitrification D) Nitrogen fixation

Answer 27

B) Denitrification

Question 28

What is the primary cause of nutrient cycling disruption?

Answer 28

Human activities such as agriculture, pollution, and urbanization.

Question 29

True or False: The phosphorus cycle is faster than the nitrogen cycle.

Answer 29

False

Question 30

What is the significance of the phosphorus cycle for living organisms?

Answer 30

Phosphorus is essential for DNA, RNA, and ATP, which are crucial for life.

Question 31

Fill in the blank: __________ is the process by which nitrogen is converted from its gaseous form to a solid form.

Answer 31

Nitrogen fixation

Question 32

What are the two types of nitrogen-fixing bacteria?

Answer 32

Free-living bacteria and symbiotic bacteria.

Question 33

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a consequence of deforestation on nutrient cycles? A) Increased soil erosion B) Decreased carbon storage C) Loss of biodiversity D) All of the above

Answer 33

D) All of the above

Question 34

What is the main component of the nitrogen cycle?

Answer 34

The conversion of nitrogen between different chemical forms.

Question 35

True or False: The carbon cycle is mainly a geological process.

Answer 35

False

Question 36

What is the function of nitrifying bacteria?

Answer 36

Nitrifying bacteria convert ammonia into nitrites and then into nitrates.

Question 37

Fill in the blank: __________ is a key factor in the water cycle that involves the change from liquid to gas.

Answer 37

Evaporation

Question 38

What role do animals play in the nutrient cycles?

Answer 38

Animals contribute to nutrient cycling through excretion and decomposition.

Question 39

Multiple Choice: Which nutrient cycle is most closely associated with fertilizers? A) Carbon B) Nitrogen C) Phosphorus D) All of the above

Answer 39

D) All of the above

Question 40

What happens during the process of sedimentation?

Answer 40

Particles settle out of the water column and accumulate at the bottom.

Question 41

True or False: Nutrient cycles can be negatively impacted by climate change.

Answer 41

True

Question 42

What is eutrophication primarily caused by?

Answer 42

Runoff of excess nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, into water bodies.

Question 43

Fill in the blank: __________ refers to the movement of carbon through the biosphere, atmosphere, oceans, and geosphere.

Answer 43

The carbon cycle

Question 44

What is the impact of increased carbon dioxide levels on global temperatures?

Answer 44

Increased carbon dioxide levels contribute to global warming.

Question 45

Multiple Choice: Which of the following processes is part of the water cycle? A) Precipitation B) Photosynthesis C) Respiration D) All of the above

Answer 45

A) Precipitation

Question 46

What is the primary product of photosynthesis?

Answer 46

Glucose

Question 47

True or False: Nitrogen is a limiting nutrient in many ecosystems.

Answer 47

True

Question 48

What is the term for the process of returning nutrients to the soil through decomposition?

Answer 48

Mineralization

Question 49

Fill in the blank: __________ is the process where plants lose water to the atmosphere.

Answer 49

Transpiration

Question 50

What is the role of legumes in the nitrogen cycle?

Answer 50

Legumes host nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their root nodules, facilitating nitrogen fixation.

Question 51

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a greenhouse gas? A) Methane B) Nitrous oxide C) Oxygen D) Carbon dioxide

Answer 51

C) Oxygen

Question 52

What is biological magnification?

Answer 52

Biological magnification is the increase in concentration of substances, such as pesticides or heavy metals, in organisms at higher trophic levels.

Question 53

True or False: The nitrogen cycle is critical for the synthesis of amino acids and nucleic acids.

Answer 53

True

Question 54

What is the significance of the sulfur cycle?

Answer 54

The sulfur cycle is important for protein synthesis and various metabolic processes.

Question 55

Fill in the blank: __________ is a process in the carbon cycle where carbon is released back into the atmosphere by respiration.

Answer 55

Respiration

Question 56

What is the primary cause of climate change?

Answer 56

Increased greenhouse gas emissions from human activities.

Question 57

Multiple Choice: Which cycle is primarily concerned with the availability of water? A) Nitrogen B) Carbon C) Water D) Phosphorus

Answer 57

C) Water

Question 58

What is the role of the ocean in the carbon cycle?

Answer 58

The ocean acts as a carbon sink, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Question 59

True or False: Organic matter is a significant reservoir of nitrogen.

Answer 59

True

Question 60

What is the primary function of phosphorus in living organisms?

Answer 60

Phosphorus is vital for energy transfer and storage in the form of ATP.

Question 61

Fill in the blank: __________ refers to the process of water vapor changing back into liquid water.

Answer 61

Condensation

Question 62

What is the role of soil in nutrient cycles?

Answer 62

Soil serves as a reservoir for nutrients and supports plant growth.

Question 63

Multiple Choice: Which nutrient cycle is least affected by human activity? A) Carbon B) Nitrogen C) Phosphorus D) Water

Answer 63

D) Water

Question 64

What is the process of respiration?

Answer 64

Respiration is the biochemical process where organisms convert glucose and oxygen into energy, releasing carbon dioxide.

Question 65

True or False: All organisms release carbon dioxide during respiration.

Answer 65

True

Question 66

What is the main consequence of deforestation on the carbon cycle?

Answer 66

Increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere due to reduced carbon storage.

Question 67

Fill in the blank: __________ is the process of water moving from the soil into the atmosphere.

Answer 67

Transpiration

Question 68

What role do autotrophs play in nutrient cycles?

Answer 68

Autotrophs convert inorganic substances into organic matter, forming the base of food webs.

Question 69

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a greenhouse gas? A) Nitrogen B) Oxygen C) Methane D) Helium

Answer 69

C) Methane

Question 70

What is the significance of the nitrogen cycle in agriculture?

Answer 70

The nitrogen cycle is crucial for soil fertility and crop production.

Question 71

True or False: The phosphorus cycle has a gaseous phase.

Answer 71

False

Question 72

What is sedimentation?

Answer 72

Sedimentation is the process where particles settle out of a fluid, accumulating at the bottom.

Question 73

Fill in the blank: __________ is the process by which water vapor is released from plants.

Answer 73

Transpiration

Question 74

What are the effects of acid rain on nutrient cycles?

Answer 74

Acid rain can leach nutrients from the soil, harming plant growth.

Question 75

Multiple Choice: Which of the following processes occurs in the nitrogen cycle? A) Ammonification B) Photosynthesis C) Respiration D) All of the above

Answer 75

A) Ammonification

Question 76

What is the role of algae in aquatic nutrient cycles?

Answer 76

Algae contribute to primary production and oxygenation of water bodies.

Question 77

True or False: Nutrient cycles are completely independent from one another.

Answer 77

False

Question 78

What is the primary source of carbon in the carbon cycle?

Answer 78

Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.