Biogeochemical Cycles

Front

What is the process of water droplets or ice crystals falling from the sky?

Back

Precipitation is the process where water droplets or ice crystals fall from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface, including rain, snow, sleet, and hail.

Front

Do plants support the carbon cycle?

Back

Yes, plants play a crucial role in the carbon cycle by absorbing carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and releasing oxygen.

Front

What is the process of converting light energy, water, and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen?

Back

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose, using water and carbon dioxide.

Front

What do we call organisms that make their own food using sunlight or chemicals?

Back

Producers are organisms that can create their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, serving as the base of the food chain.

Front

In an energy pyramid, which organism would most likely be in level 2?

Back

A caterpillar would most likely be in level 2 of an energy pyramid, as it is a primary consumer that feeds on producers like plants.

Front

What is the term for the movement of water through the environment, including evaporation and precipitation?

Back

The Water Cycle is the continuous process by which water moves from the Earth's surface to the atmosphere and back, involving evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.

Front

What is nitrogen fixation?

Back

Nitrogen fixation is the process by which certain bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, making it available for plants to use.

Front

What role do decomposers play in biogeochemical cycles?

Back

Decomposers break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil and making them available for plants, thus playing a vital role in nutrient cycling.

Front

What is the phosphorus cycle?

Back

The Phosphorus Cycle is the process by which phosphorus moves through the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere, primarily through the weathering of rocks and uptake by plants.

Front

How do human activities impact the carbon cycle?

Back

Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, increase carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, disrupting the natural carbon cycle.