Nutrient Cycles and Organism Adaptations

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to nutrient cycles, organism adaptations, and the importance of nutrients in ecosystems.

Tolerance

The ability of an organism to withstand long exposure to toxins, leading to evolutionary changes.

Hyperaccumulation

The process by which some plants store toxins in their vacuoles, aiding in bioremediation to remove pollutants.

Nutrient Budgets

Represent the sums of inputs, transformations, and outputs in nutrient cycles that involve compartments like the atmosphere, organic pool, and soil.

Carbon Cycle

The cycle in which carbon is fixed from the atmosphere via photosynthesis and released through respiration and decomposition, with storage in biomass.

Nitrogen Fixation

The process that converts atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into biologically usable forms like ammonium or nitrate.

Phosphorus Cycle

The cycle in which phosphorus moves from land to ocean sediments along organisms, essential for ATP and often limiting growth in aquatic systems.

Sulphur Cycle

The cycle involving sulfur's release into the atmosphere through natural processes and human activities, leading to phenomena like acid rain.

Limiting Factors

Nutrient or resource in shortest supply that controls the growth of an organism or ecosystem, despite the availability of other nutrients.

Macronutrients

Essential elements required by organisms in large amounts, including carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

Micronutrients

Nutrients needed in very small amounts for health, including iron, manganese, and copper, deficiencies of which can cause health problems.

Eutrophication

The process caused by excess nutrients, leading to algal blooms and oxygen depletion in aquatic ecosystems.

Toxicity

The harmful effects caused by excessive amounts of essential micronutrients like nickel and copper.