The Phosphorus Cycle - AP Environmental Science
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What is the primary form of phosphorus in animal tissues?
What is the primary form of phosphorus in animal tissues?
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Organic phosphorus. Phosphorus is incorporated into proteins and nucleic acids.
Organic phosphorus. Phosphorus is incorporated into proteins and nucleic acids.
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Name a process that does not involve phosphorus transformation.
Name a process that does not involve phosphorus transformation.
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Nitrogen fixation. This process involves nitrogen, not phosphorus compounds.
Nitrogen fixation. This process involves nitrogen, not phosphorus compounds.
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Which human activity most significantly increases phosphorus levels in water?
Which human activity most significantly increases phosphorus levels in water?
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Agricultural runoff. Fertilizers wash into streams causing nutrient pollution.
Agricultural runoff. Fertilizers wash into streams causing nutrient pollution.
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Identify the process by which phosphorus is lost from aquatic systems.
Identify the process by which phosphorus is lost from aquatic systems.
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Sedimentation. Phosphorus settles to lake and ocean bottoms.
Sedimentation. Phosphorus settles to lake and ocean bottoms.
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Which ecosystem component generally has the highest phosphorus content?
Which ecosystem component generally has the highest phosphorus content?
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Soil. Accumulates from weathering and organic matter decomposition.
Soil. Accumulates from weathering and organic matter decomposition.
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Identify the geological process contributing phosphorus to the cycle.
Identify the geological process contributing phosphorus to the cycle.
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Erosion. Physical breakdown moves phosphorus from rocks to soil.
Erosion. Physical breakdown moves phosphorus from rocks to soil.
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What role do decomposers play in the phosphorus cycle?
What role do decomposers play in the phosphorus cycle?
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Release phosphorus back into the soil. They break down organic matter to make phosphorus available.
Release phosphorus back into the soil. They break down organic matter to make phosphorus available.
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What is the primary factor controlling phosphorus in ecosystems?
What is the primary factor controlling phosphorus in ecosystems?
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Soil composition. Soil phosphorus content determines ecosystem availability.
Soil composition. Soil phosphorus content determines ecosystem availability.
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Which compound is formed during phosphorus mineralization?
Which compound is formed during phosphorus mineralization?
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Inorganic phosphate. Decomposition converts organic phosphorus to this available form.
Inorganic phosphate. Decomposition converts organic phosphorus to this available form.
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What is the main form of phosphorus in rocks?
What is the main form of phosphorus in rocks?
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Apatite. A calcium phosphate mineral found in sedimentary rocks.
Apatite. A calcium phosphate mineral found in sedimentary rocks.
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Identify the process by which phosphorus is released from rocks.
Identify the process by which phosphorus is released from rocks.
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Weathering. Physical and chemical breakdown releases phosphate ions.
Weathering. Physical and chemical breakdown releases phosphate ions.
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Identify the process by which phosphorus is lost from aquatic systems.
Identify the process by which phosphorus is lost from aquatic systems.
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Sedimentation. Phosphorus settles to lake and ocean bottoms.
Sedimentation. Phosphorus settles to lake and ocean bottoms.
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What is the term for phosphorus moving from soil to water bodies?
What is the term for phosphorus moving from soil to water bodies?
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Leaching. Water dissolves and transports phosphorus compounds.
Leaching. Water dissolves and transports phosphorus compounds.
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Which form of phosphorus is not directly usable by plants?
Which form of phosphorus is not directly usable by plants?
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Elemental phosphorus. Must be converted to phosphate before plant uptake.
Elemental phosphorus. Must be converted to phosphate before plant uptake.
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What is the process called when phosphorus is incorporated into organic molecules?
What is the process called when phosphorus is incorporated into organic molecules?
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Assimilation. Plants and animals incorporate phosphorus into biological molecules.
Assimilation. Plants and animals incorporate phosphorus into biological molecules.
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Which organism type converts organic phosphorus into inorganic phosphorus?
Which organism type converts organic phosphorus into inorganic phosphorus?
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Decomposers. Bacteria and fungi break down organic phosphorus compounds.
Decomposers. Bacteria and fungi break down organic phosphorus compounds.
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Identify the phosphorus compound primarily involved in plant uptake.
Identify the phosphorus compound primarily involved in plant uptake.
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Phosphate ($PO_4^{3-}$). Plants absorb this dissolved form through their roots.
Phosphate ($PO_4^{3-}$). Plants absorb this dissolved form through their roots.
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Identify the main way phosphorus returns to soil from plants and animals.
Identify the main way phosphorus returns to soil from plants and animals.
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Decomposition. Breakdown of dead organisms releases phosphorus compounds.
Decomposition. Breakdown of dead organisms releases phosphorus compounds.
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What is the chemical symbol for phosphate?
What is the chemical symbol for phosphate?
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$PO_4^{3-}$. The ionic form that plants can absorb from soil.
$PO_4^{3-}$. The ionic form that plants can absorb from soil.
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What is a major source of phosphorus for terrestrial ecosystems?
What is a major source of phosphorus for terrestrial ecosystems?
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Mineral weathering. Rock breakdown provides phosphate ions to soil.
Mineral weathering. Rock breakdown provides phosphate ions to soil.
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What is the role of plants in the phosphorus cycle?
What is the role of plants in the phosphorus cycle?
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Absorb phosphorus as phosphate. Plants uptake phosphate for DNA, RNA, and ATP synthesis.
Absorb phosphorus as phosphate. Plants uptake phosphate for DNA, RNA, and ATP synthesis.
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How does phosphorus availability affect plant growth?
How does phosphorus availability affect plant growth?
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Essential nutrient. Phosphorus is required for cellular energy and genetic material.
Essential nutrient. Phosphorus is required for cellular energy and genetic material.
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How do plants contribute to phosphorus cycling?
How do plants contribute to phosphorus cycling?
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Uptake and assimilation. Plants absorb phosphate and incorporate it into tissues.
Uptake and assimilation. Plants absorb phosphate and incorporate it into tissues.
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What is the primary human source of phosphorus for agriculture?
What is the primary human source of phosphorus for agriculture?
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Phosphate fertilizers. Mined phosphate rock provides agricultural phosphorus supplements.
Phosphate fertilizers. Mined phosphate rock provides agricultural phosphorus supplements.
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Which process is responsible for phosphorus returning to the ocean?
Which process is responsible for phosphorus returning to the ocean?
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Runoff. Water flow carries terrestrial phosphorus to marine systems.
Runoff. Water flow carries terrestrial phosphorus to marine systems.
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Which human activity most significantly increases phosphorus levels in water?
Which human activity most significantly increases phosphorus levels in water?
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Agricultural runoff. Fertilizers wash into streams causing nutrient pollution.
Agricultural runoff. Fertilizers wash into streams causing nutrient pollution.
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Identify a natural process that does NOT release phosphorus.
Identify a natural process that does NOT release phosphorus.
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Photosynthesis. This process uses light energy but doesn't involve phosphorus release.
Photosynthesis. This process uses light energy but doesn't involve phosphorus release.
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What is the primary role of phosphorus in organisms?
What is the primary role of phosphorus in organisms?
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Component of DNA and ATP. Essential for energy transfer and genetic material structure.
Component of DNA and ATP. Essential for energy transfer and genetic material structure.
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What is a significant anthropogenic source of phosphorus pollution?
What is a significant anthropogenic source of phosphorus pollution?
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Detergents. Household products add phosphorus to wastewater systems.
Detergents. Household products add phosphorus to wastewater systems.
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What human activity accelerates phosphorus loss in soils?
What human activity accelerates phosphorus loss in soils?
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Deforestation. Removes vegetation that holds soil phosphorus in place.
Deforestation. Removes vegetation that holds soil phosphorus in place.
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