Describe the flow of matter in the nitrogen cycle

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Middle School Life Science › Describe the flow of matter in the nitrogen cycle

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1

Nitrites and nitrates in the soil are converted by bacteria into a form usable by plants through the process of ______.

fixation

denitrification

nitrification

ammonification

Explanation

The answer is "fixation."

The nitrogen cycle describes the flow of the element nitrogen on Earth. Most of Earth’s nitrogen exists in the atmosphere, but it can be moved into the soil through a process called “fixation.” Fixation usually occurs with the help of bacteria, but can also be done by lightning. Bacteria help nitrites and nitrates change into a form of nitrogen used by plants to help them grow. Animals get their nitrogen by eating plants. Animal waste contains nitrogen but needs to be fixed by bacteria as well. Additionally, when animals die their nitrogen reserves are broken down by decomposers where it can again be used by plants. Denitrification is the process where nitrogen in the soil returns to the atmosphere as a gas.

2

What is eutrophication and how is it caused?

Eutrophication occurs when an aquatic system has an overabundance of nutrients. It is most often caused by human activity like farming, maintaining golf courses and other activities that can lead to fertilizer run off.

Eutrophication occurs when an aquatic system has a lack of nutrients. It is most often caused by human activity like farming, maintaining golf courses and other activities that can lead to fertilizer run off.

Eutrophication occurs when an aquatic system has an overabundance of nutrients. It is most often caused by an excessive amount of bacteria in the soil, performing nitrogen fixation at an increased rate.

Eutrophication occurs when an aquatic system has a lack of nutrients. It is most often caused by an excessive amount of bacteria in the soil, performing nitrogen fixation at an increased rate.

Explanation

The answer is "Eutrophication occurs when an aquatic system has an overabundance of nutrients. It is most often caused by human activity like farming, maintaining golf courses and other activities that can lead to fertilizer run off."

The nitrogen cycle describes the flow of the element nitrogen on Earth. Most of Earth’s nitrogen exists in the atmosphere, but it can be moved into the soil through a process called “fixation.” Fixation usually occurs with the help of bacteria, but can also be done by lightning. Bacteria help nitrites and nitrates change into a form of nitrogen used by plants to help them grow. Animals get their nitrogen by eating plants. Animal waste contains nitrogen but needs to be fixed by bacteria as well. Additionally, when animals die their nitrogen reserves are broken down by decomposers where it can again be used by plants. Denitrification is the process where nitrogen in the soil returns to the atmosphere as a gas.

3

True or false: Atmospheric nitrogen is easily taken up and used by plants and animals.

True

False

Explanation

The answer is "false." Most of the nitrogen in the atmosphere is unavailable for use by organisms. In order for plants and animals to be able to use nitrogen, N2 gas must first be converted to a different form.

The nitrogen cycle describes the flow of the element nitrogen on Earth. Most of Earth’s nitrogen exists in the atmosphere, but it can be moved into the soil through a process called “fixation.” Fixation usually occurs with the help of bacteria, but can also be done by lightning. Bacteria help nitrites and nitrates change into a form of nitrogen used by plants to help them grow. Animals get their nitrogen by eating plants. Animal waste contains nitrogen but needs to be fixed by bacteria as well. Additionally, when animals die their nitrogen reserves are broken down by decomposers where it can again be used by plants. Denitrification is the process where nitrogen in the soil returns to the atmosphere as a gas.

4

Where does most of Earth's nitrogen exist?

in the atmosphere

in the soil

in animal waste

in living organisms

Explanation

The answer is "in the atmosphere."
The nitrogen cycle describes the flow of the element nitrogen on Earth. Most of Earth’s nitrogen exists in the atmosphere, but it can be moved into the soil through a process called “fixation.” Fixation usually occurs with the help of bacteria, but can also be done by lightning. Bacteria help nitrites and nitrates change into a form of nitrogen used by plants to help them grow. Animals get their nitrogen by eating plants. Animal waste contains nitrogen but needs to be fixed by bacteria as well. Additionally, when animals die their nitrogen reserves are broken down by decomposers where it can again be used by plants. Denitrification is the process where nitrogen in the soil returns to the atmosphere as a gas.

5

Nitrogen can be changed into a form plants can use by which of these?

all of these

bacteria

lightning

decomposers

Explanation

The answer is "all of these."

The nitrogen cycle describes the flow of the element nitrogen on Earth. Most of Earth’s nitrogen exists in the atmosphere, but it can be moved into the soil through a process called “fixation.” Fixation usually occurs with the help of bacteria, but can also be done by lightning. Bacteria help nitrites and nitrates change into a form of nitrogen used by plants to help them grow. Animals get their nitrogen by eating plants. Animal waste contains nitrogen but needs to be fixed by bacteria as well. Additionally, when animals die their nitrogen reserves are broken down by decomposers where it can again be used by plants. Denitrification is the process where nitrogen in the soil returns to the atmosphere as a gas.

6

What do organisms primarily use nitrogen for?

production of proteins

cellular respiration

energy

all of these

none of these

Explanation

The answer is "production of proteins." The ammonia produced by nitrogen fixing bacteria is used to make proteins.

The nitrogen cycle describes the flow of the element nitrogen on Earth. Most of Earth’s nitrogen exists in the atmosphere, but it can be moved into the soil through a process called “fixation.” Fixation usually occurs with the help of bacteria, but can also be done by lightning. Bacteria help nitrites and nitrates change into a form of nitrogen used by plants to help them grow. Animals get their nitrogen by eating plants. Animal waste contains nitrogen but needs to be fixed by bacteria as well. Additionally, when animals die their nitrogen reserves are broken down by decomposers where it can again be used by plants. Denitrification is the process where nitrogen in the soil returns to the atmosphere as a gas.

7

When animals die what happens to the nitrogen in their bodies?

Decomposers help break it down into a form usable by plants.

Rain causes denitrification to break it down into plant nutrients.

It dissolves completely.

It evaporates into the air.

Explanation

The answer is "decomposers help break it down into a form usable by plants."

The nitrogen cycle describes the flow of the element nitrogen on Earth. Most of Earth’s nitrogen exists in the atmosphere, but it can be moved into the soil through a process called “fixation.” Fixation usually occurs with the help of bacteria, but can also be done by lightning. Bacteria help nitrites and nitrates change into a form of nitrogen used by plants to help them grow. Animals get their nitrogen by eating plants. Animal waste contains nitrogen but needs to be fixed by bacteria as well. Additionally, when animals die their nitrogen reserves are broken down by decomposers where it can again be used by plants. Denitrification is the process where nitrogen in the soil returns to the atmosphere as a gas.

8

How do synthetic fertilizers effect the nitrogen cycle?

Synthetic fertilizers add nitrogen to the soil in a form usable by plants to help them grow, increasing agricultural production.

Synthetic fertilizers add excessive nitrogen to areas, and the runoff causes eutrophication.

Excess nitrate from synthetic fertilizers can leach out of the soil, enter streams and rivers, and ultimately make its way into our drinking water.

all of these

none of these

Explanation

The nitrogen cycle describes the flow of the element nitrogen on Earth. Most of Earth’s nitrogen exists in the atmosphere, but it can be moved into the soil through a process called “fixation.” Fixation usually occurs with the help of bacteria, but can also be done by lightning. Bacteria help nitrites and nitrates change into a form of nitrogen used by plants to help them grow. Animals get their nitrogen by eating plants. Animal waste contains nitrogen but needs to be fixed by bacteria as well. Additionally, when animals die their nitrogen reserves are broken down by decomposers where it can again be used by plants. Denitrification is the process where nitrogen in the soil returns to the atmosphere as a gas.

9

1200px nitrogen cycle svg

What process belongs in the blank in the image?

assimilation

organization

restoration

re-nitrification

Explanation

The answer is "assimilation."Organisms like plants, fungi and certain bacteria that cannot fix nitrogen gas (N2) depend on the ability to assimilate nitrate or ammonia for their needs.

The nitrogen cycle describes the flow of the element nitrogen on Earth. Most of Earth’s nitrogen exists in the atmosphere, but it can be moved into the soil through a process called “fixation.” Fixation usually occurs with the help of bacteria, but can also be done by lightning. Bacteria help nitrites and nitrates change into a form of nitrogen used by plants to help them grow. Animals get their nitrogen by eating plants. Animal waste contains nitrogen but needs to be fixed by bacteria as well. Additionally, when animals die their nitrogen reserves are broken down by decomposers where it can again be used by plants. Denitrification is the process where nitrogen in the soil returns to the atmosphere as a gas.

10

Screen shot 2020 06 08 at 2.20.51 pm

According to this diagram, what must happen to amino acids, ammonia, and urea before they can be used by plants?

some quantities are already usable

nitrification and denitrification

fixation

ammonification

Explanation

The answer is "some quantities are already usable" because there is an arrow showing the direction of matter straight to plants from amino acids, ammonia, and urea.

The nitrogen cycle describes the flow of the element nitrogen on Earth. Most of Earth’s nitrogen exists in the atmosphere, but it can be moved into the soil through a process called “fixation.” Fixation usually occurs with the help of bacteria, but can also be done by lightning. Bacteria help nitrites and nitrates change into a form of nitrogen used by plants to help them grow. Animals get their nitrogen by eating plants. Animal waste contains nitrogen but needs to be fixed by bacteria as well. Additionally, when animals die their nitrogen reserves are broken down by decomposers where it can again be used by plants. Denitrification is the process where nitrogen in the soil returns to the atmosphere as a gas.

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