Support Ecosystem Cycling With Evidence - Biology
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Which evidence best supports nitrogen fixation in legume root nodules?
Which evidence best supports nitrogen fixation in legume root nodules?
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Higher plant nitrogen content when nodules are present. Bacteria in nodules provide nitrogen, increasing plant growth.
Higher plant nitrogen content when nodules are present. Bacteria in nodules provide nitrogen, increasing plant growth.
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What nitrogen-cycle process converts organic nitrogen in dead matter into ammonium?
What nitrogen-cycle process converts organic nitrogen in dead matter into ammonium?
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Ammonification (decomposition). Organic nitrogen is broken down back to inorganic forms.
Ammonification (decomposition). Organic nitrogen is broken down back to inorganic forms.
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Which evidence best supports increased carbon sequestration in a reforested area?
Which evidence best supports increased carbon sequestration in a reforested area?
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Rising tree biomass and increasing soil organic carbon. More carbon stored in both above and below-ground pools.
Rising tree biomass and increasing soil organic carbon. More carbon stored in both above and below-ground pools.
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Which term describes the movement of nutrients from one trophic level to the next?
Which term describes the movement of nutrients from one trophic level to the next?
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Consumption (trophic transfer of matter). Nutrients pass from prey to predator through feeding.
Consumption (trophic transfer of matter). Nutrients pass from prey to predator through feeding.
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Which term describes the conversion of organic matter into inorganic nutrients by microbes?
Which term describes the conversion of organic matter into inorganic nutrients by microbes?
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Mineralization. Microbes break down complex organic compounds to simple ions.
Mineralization. Microbes break down complex organic compounds to simple ions.
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Which evidence best supports mineralization in forest litter over time?
Which evidence best supports mineralization in forest litter over time?
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Organic nitrogen decreases while inorganic ammonium/nitrate increases. Decomposition converts organic nitrogen to inorganic forms.
Organic nitrogen decreases while inorganic ammonium/nitrate increases. Decomposition converts organic nitrogen to inorganic forms.
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Which option is the most direct evidence that carbon cycles between plants and animals?
Which option is the most direct evidence that carbon cycles between plants and animals?
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Plants fix $CO_2$; animals release $CO_2$ during respiration. Shows carbon moving between autotrophs and heterotrophs.
Plants fix $CO_2$; animals release $CO_2$ during respiration. Shows carbon moving between autotrophs and heterotrophs.
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What is the term for nutrients entering an ecosystem from outside sources?
What is the term for nutrients entering an ecosystem from outside sources?
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Nutrient input. External sources add nutrients to the ecosystem.
Nutrient input. External sources add nutrients to the ecosystem.
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Which evidence best supports that soil microbes drive nutrient cycling?
Which evidence best supports that soil microbes drive nutrient cycling?
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Sterilized soil shows reduced nitrate formation and plant growth. Killing microbes disrupts the biological processes they perform.
Sterilized soil shows reduced nitrate formation and plant growth. Killing microbes disrupts the biological processes they perform.
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Which statement is supported if decomposers are removed and detritus accumulates?
Which statement is supported if decomposers are removed and detritus accumulates?
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Nutrient recycling slows due to reduced decomposition. Without decomposers, organic matter accumulates instead of recycling.
Nutrient recycling slows due to reduced decomposition. Without decomposers, organic matter accumulates instead of recycling.
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What is a trophic level in the context of matter cycling?
What is a trophic level in the context of matter cycling?
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A feeding position where matter is transferred by consumption. Each feeding level in a food chain or web.
A feeding position where matter is transferred by consumption. Each feeding level in a food chain or web.
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What is the term for nutrients leaving an ecosystem via water or harvesting?
What is the term for nutrients leaving an ecosystem via water or harvesting?
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Nutrient output (loss). Nutrients exit the ecosystem through various pathways.
Nutrient output (loss). Nutrients exit the ecosystem through various pathways.
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Which evidence best supports nutrient transfer up a food chain?
Which evidence best supports nutrient transfer up a food chain?
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Higher tissue nitrogen or carbon in consumers after feeding. Consumption transfers nutrients from food into consumer tissues.
Higher tissue nitrogen or carbon in consumers after feeding. Consumption transfers nutrients from food into consumer tissues.
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Which term describes the movement of nutrients from one trophic level to the next?
Which term describes the movement of nutrients from one trophic level to the next?
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Consumption (trophic transfer of matter). Nutrients pass from prey to predator through feeding.
Consumption (trophic transfer of matter). Nutrients pass from prey to predator through feeding.
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Which evidence best supports increased carbon sequestration in a reforested area?
Which evidence best supports increased carbon sequestration in a reforested area?
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Rising tree biomass and increasing soil organic carbon. More carbon stored in both above and below-ground pools.
Rising tree biomass and increasing soil organic carbon. More carbon stored in both above and below-ground pools.
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Which term describes carbon stored long-term in wood, soils, or sediments?
Which term describes carbon stored long-term in wood, soils, or sediments?
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Carbon sequestration. Carbon is removed from atmosphere and stored long-term.
Carbon sequestration. Carbon is removed from atmosphere and stored long-term.
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Which measurement is direct evidence that carbon is stored in biomass?
Which measurement is direct evidence that carbon is stored in biomass?
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Increased dry mass or increased percent carbon in tissues. Direct measurement shows carbon accumulated in living tissues.
Increased dry mass or increased percent carbon in tissues. Direct measurement shows carbon accumulated in living tissues.
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Which term describes the total mass of living organic matter in an ecosystem?
Which term describes the total mass of living organic matter in an ecosystem?
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Biomass. Total weight of all living organisms in an area.
Biomass. Total weight of all living organisms in an area.
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Which evidence best supports phosphate limitation in a lake ecosystem?
Which evidence best supports phosphate limitation in a lake ecosystem?
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Algal growth increases after phosphate is added. Phosphate addition stimulates growth when it's the limiting nutrient.
Algal growth increases after phosphate is added. Phosphate addition stimulates growth when it's the limiting nutrient.
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Which evidence pattern best supports eutrophication in a pond?
Which evidence pattern best supports eutrophication in a pond?
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High nitrate/phosphate, algal bloom, then low dissolved $O_2$. Classic sequence shows nutrient input leading to oxygen loss.
High nitrate/phosphate, algal bloom, then low dissolved $O_2$. Classic sequence shows nutrient input leading to oxygen loss.
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What is eutrophication in terms of nutrient cycling evidence?
What is eutrophication in terms of nutrient cycling evidence?
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Nutrient enrichment causing algal blooms and oxygen decline. Excess nutrients cause algal overgrowth and oxygen depletion.
Nutrient enrichment causing algal blooms and oxygen decline. Excess nutrients cause algal overgrowth and oxygen depletion.
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Which evidence best supports increased runoff after deforestation?
Which evidence best supports increased runoff after deforestation?
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Greater stream discharge and reduced infiltration after tree removal. Trees normally absorb water; removal increases surface flow.
Greater stream discharge and reduced infiltration after tree removal. Trees normally absorb water; removal increases surface flow.
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What is the term for water soaking into the ground from the surface?
What is the term for water soaking into the ground from the surface?
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Infiltration. Water penetrates soil surface and moves underground.
Infiltration. Water penetrates soil surface and moves underground.
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Which evidence best supports transpiration increasing on a hot, dry day?
Which evidence best supports transpiration increasing on a hot, dry day?
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Higher water loss rate from leaves or increased local humidity. Heat increases evaporation rate from plant surfaces.
Higher water loss rate from leaves or increased local humidity. Heat increases evaporation rate from plant surfaces.
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Which water-cycle process moves water from leaves to the atmosphere?
Which water-cycle process moves water from leaves to the atmosphere?
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Transpiration. Plants release water vapor through leaf pores (stomata).
Transpiration. Plants release water vapor through leaf pores (stomata).
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Which process releases phosphate from rocks into soil and water?
Which process releases phosphate from rocks into soil and water?
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Weathering and erosion. Physical breakdown of rocks releases phosphate into ecosystems.
Weathering and erosion. Physical breakdown of rocks releases phosphate into ecosystems.
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Which phosphorus-cycle feature is correct: does it have a major atmospheric gas phase?
Which phosphorus-cycle feature is correct: does it have a major atmospheric gas phase?
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No, phosphorus lacks a major atmospheric gas phase. Phosphorus cycles mainly through rocks, soil, and water.
No, phosphorus lacks a major atmospheric gas phase. Phosphorus cycles mainly through rocks, soil, and water.
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Which evidence best supports denitrification in waterlogged soils?
Which evidence best supports denitrification in waterlogged soils?
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Nitrate decreases and $N_2$ (or $N_2O$) emissions increase. Conversion of nitrate to gaseous forms in anaerobic conditions.
Nitrate decreases and $N_2$ (or $N_2O$) emissions increase. Conversion of nitrate to gaseous forms in anaerobic conditions.
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Which water-cycle process is indicated by water vapor turning into liquid droplets?
Which water-cycle process is indicated by water vapor turning into liquid droplets?
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Condensation. Water vapor loses energy and forms liquid droplets.
Condensation. Water vapor loses energy and forms liquid droplets.
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Which option best supports that phosphorus can limit productivity in freshwater ecosystems?
Which option best supports that phosphorus can limit productivity in freshwater ecosystems?
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Adding phosphate increases primary production more than controls. Experimental evidence shows phosphorus controls growth rate.
Adding phosphate increases primary production more than controls. Experimental evidence shows phosphorus controls growth rate.
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