Nutrient Cycling (LC 2027) (Leaving Cert Biology): Flashcards
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Practise the cards
15 cards from this deck
Natural recycling processes involving biology & geology
Natural recycling processes involving biology & geology
Biogeochemical cycles
Energy flow vs nutrient cycling key difference
Energy flow vs nutrient cycling key difference
Energy flows one direction; nutrients cycle continuously
Carbon's role in living organisms
Carbon's role in living organisms
Fundamental building block of all organic molecules
Photosynthesis effect on atmospheric CO
Photosynthesis effect on atmospheric CO
Removes CO from atmosphere to make carbohydrates
Respiration effect on atmospheric CO
Respiration effect on atmospheric CO
Releases CO back to atmosphere
Carbon sinks
Carbon sinks
Absorb more carbon than they release (e.g. forests, oceans)
Carbon sources examples
Carbon sources examples
Fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, volcanic eruptions
Atmospheric CO rise over past 200 years
Atmospheric CO rise over past 200 years
From 0.028% to over 0.042%
How cows release 90% of their methane
How cows release 90% of their methane
Through burping
Percentage of N in atmosphere
Percentage of N in atmosphere
78%
Nitrogen fixation
Nitrogen fixation
Converts atmospheric N into usable nitrogen compounds
Where nitrogen-fixing bacteria live in legumes
Where nitrogen-fixing bacteria live in legumes
Root nodules
End product of nitrification most easily absorbed by plants
End product of nitrification most easily absorbed by plants
Nitrates (NO)
Denitrification process
Denitrification process
Converts nitrates back into nitrogen gas
Eutrophication
Eutrophication
Excess nutrients cause rapid algae growth (algal blooms)