4.3 Biogeochemical Cycles

Practice flashcards covering the characteristics, importance, and components of the water, carbon, and nitrogen biogeochemical cycles, including Reservoir and Cycling pools.

What are the three major nutrient cycles included in the curriculum?

Water, Carbon, and Nitrogen.

Why are biogeochemical cycles important for living organisms in an ecosystem?

They help retain necessary nutrients in usable forms and maintain a steady state (homeostasis) in ecosystems.

What is the definition of a Reservoir pool?

A large non-biological source of an element that has relatively small turn over, or is not in a useable form.

What is the definition of a Cycling pool?

Active pools that are much smaller than reservoir pools where matter is constantly exchanged between the environment and organisms.

What are the specific Reservoir Pools identified for the Water Cycle?

Artesian (ground water), Ocean, Glacier, and Polar ice caps.

What processes make up the Cycling Pools of the Water Cycle?

Transpiration, Evaporation, Precipitation, and Uptake.

Where is $98\%$ of the Earth's water found?

In oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.

Besides the major bodies of water, where else is water found according to the notes?

Permafrost, groundwater, in the bodies of living things, and water vapour.

Why is Carbon essential for the physical structures of living things?

It is a building block for wood, bones, blood, skin, and many proteins and other organic products.

What is a key atmospheric function of Carbon dioxide?

Carbon dioxide stabilises the Earth’s temperature.

List the Reservoir Pools for the Carbon Cycle.

Fossils, Peat, Coal, Oil and Gas, and Trees.

Which two biological processes function as Cycling Pools for Carbon?

Respiration and Photosynthesis.

Why is nitrogen considered an essential nutrient for all life?

It is required for the production of amino acids, proteins, and nucleic acids (DNA), and is essential for plant growth.

What is listed as the Reservoir Pool for the Nitrogen Cycle?

Deep sea sediments.

How is Nitrification defined in the Nitrogen Cycle?

A process where nitrogen is organised into nitrites and nitrates by microbial organisms.

What is the definition of Assimilation in the context of nitrogen?

The form of nitrogen use where it is taken up by organisms as Nitrates.

What happens during the process of Fixation in the nitrogen cycle?

Gas is turned into an organic compound (ammonium or ammonia).

What are the four processes identified in the Cycling Pools of the Nitrogen Cycle?

Nitrogen fixation, Denitrification, Nitrification, and Assimilation.

What does the cognitive verb 'Describe' mean?

Give an account (written or spoken) of a situation, event, pattern or process, or of the characteristics or features of something.

What does the cognitive verb 'Explain' mean?

Make an idea or situation plain or clear by describing it in more detail or revealing relevant facts; give an account; provide additional information.