APES Biogeochemical Cycles Carbon Nitrogen
38 flashcards covering APES Biogeochemical Cycles Carbon Nitrogen for the AP-ENVIRONMENTAL-SCIENCE Unit 1 section.
Biogeochemical cycles, specifically the carbon and nitrogen cycles, are critical components of the AP Environmental Science curriculum as outlined by the College Board. These cycles describe the movement of essential elements through the environment, involving interactions among the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere. Understanding these processes is vital for grasping ecosystem dynamics and the impact of human activities on environmental health.
In practice exams and competency assessments, questions related to biogeochemical cycles often require students to analyze diagrams or models, identify key processes, or interpret data related to nutrient cycling. Common traps include confusing the roles of different organisms in these cycles or misidentifying the sources and sinks of carbon and nitrogen. A frequent oversight is underestimating the impact of human activities, such as fossil fuel combustion and agricultural practices, on these cycles, which can lead to significant environmental consequences.
Terms (38)
- 01
What is the primary process by which carbon is removed from the atmosphere?
Photosynthesis is the primary process by which carbon dioxide is absorbed from the atmosphere and converted into organic matter by plants. This process plays a critical role in the carbon cycle (College Board AP CED).
- 02
How do human activities contribute to the carbon cycle?
Human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation increase the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, disrupting the natural carbon cycle and contributing to climate change (College Board AP CED).
- 03
What role do decomposers play in the nitrogen cycle?
Decomposers break down organic matter, releasing nitrogen back into the soil in the form of ammonium, which can then be utilized by plants (College Board AP CED).
- 04
What is nitrogen fixation?
Nitrogen fixation is the process by which atmospheric nitrogen (N2) is converted into ammonia (NH3) by certain bacteria, making nitrogen available for uptake by plants (College Board AP CED).
- 05
Which of the following processes converts nitrates back into nitrogen gas?
Denitrification is the process that converts nitrates (NO3-) back into nitrogen gas (N2), returning nitrogen to the atmosphere (College Board AP CED).
- 06
How often should soil nitrogen levels be tested in agricultural practices?
Soil nitrogen levels should be tested at least once a year to ensure optimal nutrient management for crop production (Princeton Review).
- 07
What is the significance of the carbon cycle in climate regulation?
The carbon cycle regulates Earth's climate by controlling the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which influences global temperatures (College Board AP CED).
- 08
Under the Clean Air Act, what is required to control carbon emissions?
Under the Clean Air Act, states are required to develop and implement plans to reduce carbon emissions from power plants and other sources (College Board AP CED).
- 09
What is the first step in the nitrogen cycle?
The first step in the nitrogen cycle is nitrogen fixation, where nitrogen gas is converted into ammonia by bacteria (College Board AP CED).
- 10
How does deforestation impact the carbon cycle?
Deforestation reduces the number of trees available to absorb carbon dioxide, leading to increased atmospheric carbon levels and contributing to global warming (College Board AP CED).
- 11
What is the process of ammonification?
Ammonification is the process by which organic nitrogen is converted into ammonia by decomposers, making nitrogen available for plants (College Board AP CED).
- 12
What is the maximum amount of carbon dioxide that can be absorbed by a forest ecosystem?
The maximum amount of carbon dioxide absorbed varies widely by ecosystem type, but forests can sequester significant amounts of carbon depending on their age, species composition, and health (College Board AP CED).
- 13
Which organisms are primarily responsible for nitrification?
Nitrifying bacteria are primarily responsible for the process of nitrification, converting ammonia into nitrites and then into nitrates (College Board AP CED).
- 14
A farmer notices reduced crop yields. What should they assess regarding nitrogen?
The farmer should assess soil nitrogen levels, as insufficient nitrogen can lead to poor plant growth and reduced yields (College Board AP CED).
- 15
What is the role of plants in the carbon cycle?
Plants play a crucial role in the carbon cycle by absorbing carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and releasing oxygen, thus acting as carbon sinks (College Board AP CED).
- 16
How does the burning of fossil fuels affect the nitrogen cycle?
Burning fossil fuels releases nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, which can lead to acid rain and disrupt the nitrogen cycle (College Board AP CED).
- 17
What is the process by which plants absorb nitrogen?
Plants absorb nitrogen primarily in the form of nitrates and ammonium from the soil, which they use to synthesize proteins and nucleic acids (College Board AP CED).
- 18
How often should nitrogen-fixing crops be rotated in agriculture?
Nitrogen-fixing crops should be rotated every few years to maintain soil fertility and prevent nutrient depletion (Princeton Review).
- 19
What is the main source of nitrogen in fertilizers?
The main source of nitrogen in fertilizers is synthetic ammonia, which is produced through the Haber-Bosch process (College Board AP CED).
- 20
What happens during the process of respiration in the carbon cycle?
During respiration, organisms convert organic carbon back into carbon dioxide, releasing it into the atmosphere and completing the carbon cycle (College Board AP CED).
- 21
Which of the following best describes the role of legumes in the nitrogen cycle?
Legumes host nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their root nodules, which convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use (College Board AP CED).
- 22
What is the impact of excessive nitrogen runoff into waterways?
Excessive nitrogen runoff can lead to eutrophication, causing algal blooms that deplete oxygen in water bodies and harm aquatic life (College Board AP CED).
- 23
How do wetlands contribute to the nitrogen cycle?
Wetlands act as natural filters, trapping nitrogen and other nutrients, thus reducing nitrogen runoff into adjacent ecosystems (College Board AP CED).
- 24
What is the primary form of carbon stored in the ocean?
The primary form of carbon stored in the ocean is dissolved inorganic carbon, including bicarbonate and carbonate ions (College Board AP CED).
- 25
How does the process of combustion affect the carbon cycle?
Combustion releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, increasing greenhouse gas concentrations and impacting climate change (College Board AP CED).
- 26
What is the role of soil bacteria in the nitrogen cycle?
Soil bacteria play essential roles in nitrogen fixation, nitrification, and denitrification, facilitating the movement of nitrogen through the ecosystem (College Board AP CED).
- 27
What is the significance of carbon sinks?
Carbon sinks, such as forests and oceans, absorb more carbon dioxide than they release, helping to mitigate climate change (College Board AP CED).
- 28
How does the process of eutrophication relate to the nitrogen cycle?
Eutrophication is often driven by excessive nitrogen inputs from fertilizers, leading to nutrient overload in aquatic systems (College Board AP CED).
- 29
What is the relationship between carbon and oxygen in photosynthesis?
In photosynthesis, plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen, highlighting the interdependence of carbon and oxygen cycles (College Board AP CED).
- 30
What is the role of carbon in cellular respiration?
Carbon is released as carbon dioxide during cellular respiration, as organisms convert glucose into energy (College Board AP CED).
- 31
How does increased atmospheric carbon dioxide affect ocean acidity?
Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide leads to higher levels of dissolved CO2 in oceans, resulting in ocean acidification (College Board AP CED).
- 32
What is the impact of agricultural practices on the nitrogen cycle?
Agricultural practices can lead to nutrient runoff and soil degradation, disrupting the nitrogen cycle and affecting ecosystem health (College Board AP CED).
- 33
What is the process of photosynthesis?
Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of carbon dioxide and water, releasing oxygen as a byproduct (College Board AP CED).
- 34
How does the carbon cycle interact with the water cycle?
The carbon cycle interacts with the water cycle through processes like evaporation and precipitation, which influence carbon transport and storage in ecosystems (College Board AP CED).
- 35
What is the role of fossil fuels in the carbon cycle?
Fossil fuels store carbon that was captured by ancient organisms; when burned, they release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere (College Board AP CED).
- 36
How does nitrogen pollution affect human health?
Nitrogen pollution can contaminate drinking water supplies, leading to health issues such as methemoglobinemia, particularly in infants (College Board AP CED).
- 37
What is the significance of the phosphorus cycle in relation to nitrogen?
The phosphorus cycle is significant as it interacts with the nitrogen cycle, influencing plant growth and ecosystem productivity (College Board AP CED).
- 38
What is the impact of climate change on the carbon cycle?
Climate change can alter the rates of carbon sequestration and release, affecting the balance of the carbon cycle and exacerbating global warming (College Board AP CED).