Nutrient Cycles

Question 1

A molecule that organisms need to live, such as water, nitrates, carbon, phosphates, carbohydrates, proteins, etc.

Answer 1

Nutrient

Question 2

The movement of molecules between both living and non-living parts of an ecosystem.

Answer 2

Nutrient Cycle

Question 3

The proper name for a nutrient cycle.

Answer 3

Biogeochemical Cycle

Question 4

Change from a liquid to a gas as a result of molecules gaining energy.

Answer 4

Evaporation

Question 5

Change from a gas to a liquid as a result of molecules losing energy, which forms clouds.

Answer 5

Condensation

Question 6

Water flowing downhill, either across the land or in a stream.

Answer 6

Runoff

Question 7

A specific location where water is stored underground.

Answer 7

Aquifer

Question 8

Water falling from the sky in any form (rain, snow, hail, etc.).

Answer 8

Precipitation

Question 9

A “frozen river” moving slowly downhill.

Answer 9

Glacier

Question 10

A process where plants release water vapor into the air.

Answer 10

Transpirations

Question 11

Water stored in pores and cracks in rocks underground.

Answer 11

Groundwater

Question 12

The upper surface of an underground reservoir of water.

Answer 12

Water Table

Question 13

The entry of water into the soil and rocks below.

Answer 13

Infiltration

Question 14

The movement of water through pore spaces underground.

Answer 14

Percolation

Question 15

Water, wind, and gravity moving sediments downhill.

Answer 15

Erosion

Question 16

Rocks such as limestone or marble made from the calcium carbonate found in shells and coral.

Answer 16

Carbonate Rocks

Question 17

The exchange of both carbon and oxygen between plants, animals, and the atmosphere.

Answer 17

Carbon-Oxygen Cycle

Question 18

The movement of water from one part of Earth to another.

Answer 18

Hydrologic Cycle

Question 19

A solid fossil fuel made from the compressed remains of ancient swamp and forest plants.

Answer 19

Coal (which is found in different qualities: anthracite is the purest, bituminous is mediocre, and lignite is the least pure)

Question 20

An unpurified, liquid fossil fuel made from the compressed remains of ancient algae.

Answer 20

Crude Oil

Question 21

Coal, oil, and natural gas made from ancient plants.

Answer 21

Fossil Fuels

Question 22

The heating of the globe as a result of the greenhouse effect.

Answer 22

Global Warming

Question 23

The process where glass (or greenhouse gases) trap heat.

Answer 23

Greenhouse Effect

Question 24

Any gas in the atmosphere that traps heat, including carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, CFCs, and more.

Answer 24

Greenhouse Gas (GHG)

Question 25

The process where plants trap light energy and transfer carbon from CO2 to glucose sugar.

Answer 25

Photosynthesis

Question 26

Floating algae that conduct photosynthesis in lakes and the ocean.

Answer 26

Phytoplankton

Question 27

The process where animals get energy by digesting glucose and releasing CO2.

Answer 27

Respiration

Question 28

A factory that purifies crude oil into products such as gasoline, jet fuel, asphalt, and more.

Answer 28

Refinery

Question 29

The process where refineries purify crude oil by slowly heating it, so that the different components (or fractions) are separated.

Answer 29

Fractional Distillation

Question 30

Bacteria that convert unusable nitrogen (N2 gas) into usable nitrogen (nitrates & nitrites).

Answer 30

Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria

Question 31

Swellings on certain plants that provide shelter for nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Answer 31

Root Nodules

Question 32

An industry which makes electricity by burning coal.

Answer 32

Power Plant

Question 33

Forms of nitrogen that are usable by living things.

Answer 33

Nitrates, nitrites, and ammonium.

Question 34

The process where certain bacteria in the soil convert usable forms of nitrogen into unusable nitrogen gas.

Answer 34

Nitrogen Fixation

Question 35

Organisms that recycle nutrients (especially nitrogen compounds) back into the food web.

Answer 35

Decomposers

Question 36

An form of nitrogen which is not usable by plants or animals, but it is also the most common form.

Answer 36

Nitrogen Gas (N2)

Question 37

Molecules in organisms that are built using nitrogen.

Answer 37

DNA & Proteins

Question 38

Plants such as peas or beans that have nitrogen-fixing bacteria living with them.

Answer 38

Legumes

Question 39

Currents in the ocean that carry nutrient-rich water from the depths of the oceans to the shallows.

Answer 39

Upwelling Currents

Question 40

Bacteria that convert usable nitrogen (nitrates) into unusable nitrogen (N2 gas).

Answer 40

Denitrification