All flashcards
Flashcard 1: What is the primary form of phosphorus in animal tissues?
Answer: Organic phosphorus. Phosphorus is incorporated into proteins and nucleic acids.
Flashcard 2: Name a process that does not involve phosphorus transformation.
Answer: Nitrogen fixation. This process involves nitrogen, not phosphorus compounds.
Flashcard 3: Which human activity most significantly increases phosphorus levels in water?
Answer: Agricultural runoff. Fertilizers wash into streams causing nutrient pollution.
Flashcard 4: Identify the process by which phosphorus is lost from aquatic systems.
Answer: Sedimentation. Phosphorus settles to lake and ocean bottoms.
Flashcard 5: Which ecosystem component generally has the highest phosphorus content?
Answer: Soil. Accumulates from weathering and organic matter decomposition.
Flashcard 6: Identify the geological process contributing phosphorus to the cycle.
Answer: Erosion. Physical breakdown moves phosphorus from rocks to soil.
Flashcard 7: What role do decomposers play in the phosphorus cycle?
Answer: Release phosphorus back into the soil. They break down organic matter to make phosphorus available.
Flashcard 8: What is the primary factor controlling phosphorus in ecosystems?
Answer: Soil composition. Soil phosphorus content determines ecosystem availability.
Flashcard 9: Which compound is formed during phosphorus mineralization?
Answer: Inorganic phosphate. Decomposition converts organic phosphorus to this available form.
Flashcard 10: What is the main form of phosphorus in rocks?
Answer: Apatite. A calcium phosphate mineral found in sedimentary rocks.
Flashcard 11: Identify the process by which phosphorus is released from rocks.
Answer: Weathering. Physical and chemical breakdown releases phosphate ions.
Flashcard 12: Identify the process by which phosphorus is lost from aquatic systems.
Answer: Sedimentation. Phosphorus settles to lake and ocean bottoms.
Flashcard 13: What is the term for phosphorus moving from soil to water bodies?
Answer: Leaching. Water dissolves and transports phosphorus compounds.
Flashcard 14: Which form of phosphorus is not directly usable by plants?
Answer: Elemental phosphorus. Must be converted to phosphate before plant uptake.
Flashcard 15: What is the process called when phosphorus is incorporated into organic molecules?
Answer: Assimilation. Plants and animals incorporate phosphorus into biological molecules.
Flashcard 16: Which organism type converts organic phosphorus into inorganic phosphorus?
Answer: Decomposers. Bacteria and fungi break down organic phosphorus compounds.
Flashcard 17: Identify the phosphorus compound primarily involved in plant uptake.
Answer: Phosphate (PO43−). Plants absorb this dissolved form through their roots.
Flashcard 18: Identify the main way phosphorus returns to soil from plants and animals.
Answer: Decomposition. Breakdown of dead organisms releases phosphorus compounds.
Flashcard 19: What is the chemical symbol for phosphate?
Answer: PO43−. The ionic form that plants can absorb from soil.
Flashcard 20: What is a major source of phosphorus for terrestrial ecosystems?
Answer: Mineral weathering. Rock breakdown provides phosphate ions to soil.
Flashcard 21: What is the role of plants in the phosphorus cycle?
Answer: Absorb phosphorus as phosphate. Plants uptake phosphate for DNA, RNA, and ATP synthesis.
Flashcard 22: How does phosphorus availability affect plant growth?
Answer: Essential nutrient. Phosphorus is required for cellular energy and genetic material.
Flashcard 23: How do plants contribute to phosphorus cycling?
Answer: Uptake and assimilation. Plants absorb phosphate and incorporate it into tissues.
Flashcard 24: What is the primary human source of phosphorus for agriculture?
Answer: Phosphate fertilizers. Mined phosphate rock provides agricultural phosphorus supplements.
Flashcard 25: Which process is responsible for phosphorus returning to the ocean?
Answer: Runoff. Water flow carries terrestrial phosphorus to marine systems.
Flashcard 26: Which human activity most significantly increases phosphorus levels in water?
Answer: Agricultural runoff. Fertilizers wash into streams causing nutrient pollution.
Flashcard 27: Identify a natural process that does NOT release phosphorus.
Answer: Photosynthesis. This process uses light energy but doesn't involve phosphorus release.
Flashcard 28: What is the primary role of phosphorus in organisms?
Answer: Component of DNA and ATP. Essential for energy transfer and genetic material structure.
Flashcard 29: What is a significant anthropogenic source of phosphorus pollution?
Answer: Detergents. Household products add phosphorus to wastewater systems.
Flashcard 30: What human activity accelerates phosphorus loss in soils?
Answer: Deforestation. Removes vegetation that holds soil phosphorus in place.