Cycles in Ecosystems Review Guide

These flashcards cover the key concepts related to the carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and hydrologic cycles, their processes, and related terms.

Carbon Cycle

The process by which carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.

Volcanic outgassing

The release of gases from the Earth's interior into the atmosphere, contributing to atmospheric carbon.

Decomposition

The process of breaking down dead organisms into nutrients that can be recycled in ecosystems.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water.

Cellular Respiration

The metabolic process in which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy, producing carbon dioxide and water as waste.

Nitrogen Fixation

The conversion of atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into a usable form like ammonium (NH4+) or ammonia (NH3).

Eutrophication

The enrichment of water bodies with nutrients, often leading to excessive growth of algae.

Phosphorus Cycle

The movement of phosphorus through the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere, with a major reservoir in rocks and sediments.

Sulfur Cycle

The biogeochemical cycle that describes the movement of sulfur through the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.

Infiltration

The process by which water moves downward into the soil from the surface.

Evaporation

The process by which water is converted from liquid to vapor, moving from the surface into the atmosphere.

Transpiration

The process of water movement through plants and its evaporation from aerial parts, especially leaves.

Condensation

The conversion of gaseous water vapor into liquid water, leading to cloud formation.