Biogeochemical Cycles (Week 2)

Question 1

Biogeochemical Cycle

Answer 1

The movements of matter within and between ecosystems involving cycles of biological, geological, and chemical processes

Question 2

Reservoirs

Answer 2

The components of the biogeochemical cycle that contain the matter, including air, water, and organisms

Question 3

Carbon Cycle

Answer 3

The movement of carbon around the biosphere among the reservoir sources and sinks

Question 4

Aerobic respiration

Answer 4

The process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water

Question 5

Greenhouse gases

Answer 5

Gases in Earth’s atmosphere that trap heat near the surface

Question 6

Global warming

Answer 6

The increase in global temperatures due to humans producing more greenhouse gases

Question 7

Limiting nutrient

Answer 7

A nutrient required for growth of an organism but available in a lower quantity than other nutrients

Question 8

Nitrogen cycle

Answer 8

The movement of nitrogen around the biosphere among reservoir sources and sinks

Question 9

Nitrogen fixation

Answer 9

The process that converts nitrogen gas in the atmosphere (N2) into forms of nitrogen that plants and algae can use

Question 10

Nitrification

Answer 10

The conversion of ammonia (NH4+) into nitrite (NO2-) and then nitrate (NO3-)

Question 11

Assimilation

Answer 11

A process by which plants and algae incorporate nitrogen into their tissues

Question 12

Mineralization / Ammonification

Answer 12

The process by which fungal and bacterial decomposers break down the organic matter found in dead bodies and waste products and convert these organic compounds back into inorganic compounds, such as inorganic ammonium (NH4+)

Question 13

Denitrification

Answer 13

The conversion of nitrate (NO3-) in a series of steps into the gases nitrous oxide (N2O) and eventually nitrogen gas (N2) which is emitted into the atmosphere

Question 14

Anaerobic

Answer 14

An environment that lacks oxygen

Question 15

Aerobic

Answer 15

An environment with abundant oxygen

Question 16

Leaching

Answer 16

A process in which dissolved molecules are transported through the soil via groundwater

Question 17

Phosphorus

Answer 17

The movement of phosphorus around the biosphere among reservoir sources and sinks

Question 18

Algal bloom

Answer 18

A rapid increase in algal population of a waterway

Question 19

Hypoxic

Answer 19

Low in oxygen

Question 20

Dead zone

Answer 20

When oxygen concentrations become so low that it kills fish and other aquatic animals

Question 21

Hydrologic cycle

Answer 21

The movement of water around the biosphere among reservoir sources and sinks

Question 22

Transpiration

Answer 22

The release of water from leaves into the atmosphere during photosynthesis

Question 23

Runoff

Answer 23

Water that moves across the land surface and into streams and rivers

Question 24

Evapotranspiration

Answer 24

The combined amount of evaporation and transpiration