All flashcards
Flashcard 1: What process converts atmospheric N2 into forms plants can use in nitrogen-cycle models?
Answer: Nitrogen fixation. Bacteria convert N2 to ammonia that plants can use.
Flashcard 2: What term describes plant uptake of nitrate or ammonium from soil in models?
Answer: Assimilation. Plants absorb nitrogen compounds through their roots.
Flashcard 3: What molecule is taken from the atmosphere during photosynthesis in carbon-cycle models?
Answer: Carbon dioxide (CO2). Plants absorb this gas through stomata for photosynthesis.
Flashcard 4: What is the main process producers use to move carbon from air into biomass?
Answer: Photosynthesis. Plants convert CO2 and water into glucose using light.
Flashcard 5: Which model statement is correct: energy is recycled or energy flows one-way in ecosystems?
Answer: Energy flows one-way. Energy enters as sunlight and exits as heat, never recycled.
Flashcard 6: What term describes nonliving components in an ecosystem model?
Answer: Abiotic factors. Non-living parts like water, air, and minerals.
Flashcard 7: Which model statement is correct: matter is recycled or matter is destroyed in ecosystems?
Answer: Matter is recycled. Atoms are conserved and reused in ecosystem cycles.
Flashcard 8: What term describes living components in an ecosystem model?
Answer: Biotic factors. Living organisms like plants and animals.
Flashcard 9: Which group converts inorganic matter into organic matter in ecosystem models?
Answer: Producers (autotrophs). They make organic compounds from inorganic materials.
Flashcard 10: What is the correct direction of matter flow in a food chain model?
Answer: From food to consumer (from eaten to eater). Matter moves from prey to predator when consumed.
Flashcard 11: What is the definition of matter in an ecosystem model?
Answer: Anything that has mass and takes up space. Matter includes all physical substances in ecosystems.
Flashcard 12: Identify the correct order in a model: plant → rabbit → fox. Which is the secondary consumer?
Answer: Fox. Fox eats the primary consumer (rabbit) in this chain.
Flashcard 13: Which process returns nitrogen gas (N2) to the atmosphere in nitrogen-cycle models?
Answer: Denitrification. Bacteria convert nitrates back to N2 gas.
Flashcard 14: Choose the correct arrow direction for matter: grass and cow. Which way should the arrow point?
Answer: Grass → cow. Arrow points from food source to consumer.
Flashcard 15: Identify where matter goes in a model when a leaf dies and decomposes: atmosphere, soil, or sun?
Answer: Soil (as nutrients) and atmosphere (as CO2). Decomposition releases CO2 to air and minerals to soil.
Flashcard 16: Which component is missing in this matter-cycle model: dead organisms → → soil nutrients?
Answer: Decomposers. They break down dead matter into soil nutrients.
Flashcard 17: What process returns carbon dioxide to the atmosphere from organisms in models?
Answer: Cellular respiration. All organisms release CO2 when breaking down glucose for energy.
Flashcard 18: What term names organisms that break down dead matter and recycle nutrients?
Answer: Decomposers. Bacteria and fungi convert dead tissue to simple nutrients.
Flashcard 19: What is the product of decomposition that becomes available in soil for plants?
Answer: Inorganic nutrients (mineral nutrients). Decomposition releases minerals plants can absorb.
Flashcard 20: Identify the abiotic reservoir that stores most available nitrogen for ecosystems.
Answer: The atmosphere (as N2 gas). 78% of air is nitrogen gas, the main nitrogen source.
Flashcard 21: What is the term for nonliving parts of an ecosystem such as water, air, and soil?
Answer: Abiotic factors. Non-living components provide physical and chemical conditions for life.
Flashcard 22: What is the correct order for carbon movement in a simple chain: plant, rabbit, fox, air (CO2)?
Answer: Plant → rabbit → fox → atmosphere (CO2). Carbon moves through food chain, then returns to air via respiration.
Flashcard 23: What process returns water vapor to the atmosphere from plant leaves?
Answer: Transpiration. Water evaporates from leaf stomata during gas exchange.
Flashcard 24: What process moves carbon from the atmosphere into plant sugars?
Answer: Photosynthesis. Plants convert atmospheric CO2 and water into glucose using sunlight.
Flashcard 25: What process moves carbon from organisms to the atmosphere as CO2?
Answer: Cellular respiration. All organisms release CO2 when breaking down glucose for energy.
Flashcard 26: What is the main abiotic reservoir of nitrogen that starts the nitrogen cycle?
Answer: Nitrogen gas in the atmosphere. N2 makes up 78% of air but must be fixed before organisms can use it.
Flashcard 27: Which organisms break down dead matter and wastes into simpler substances: decomposers or predators?
Answer: Decomposers. Bacteria and fungi recycle nutrients from dead organisms back to soil.
Flashcard 28: What is the main abiotic reservoir of carbon that plants use during photosynthesis?
Answer: Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Plants absorb CO2 from air during photosynthesis to make sugars.
Flashcard 29: Which group turns inorganic carbon dioxide into organic molecules: producers or consumers?
Answer: Producers. Use photosynthesis to convert CO2 into glucose and other organic compounds.
Flashcard 30: What is the term for living parts of an ecosystem such as plants, animals, and bacteria?
Answer: Biotic factors. Living organisms that interact and depend on each other in ecosystems.