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- 1. Multiple Choice
Once inorganic phosphate has been released by weather of rocks, which of the following might be it's next step in the phosphorus cycle?
it can become part of surface water and runoff into the ocean, and eventually become new rock at the bottom of the ocean through the process of sedimentation
it can become part of the soil and be taken up by plant roots and used to make lipids, ATP, nucleic acids and other cellular molecules
it can become part of groundwater and leech into the ocean, and eventually become new rock through the process of sedimentation
all of the answers are possible pathways for phosphorus
- 2. Multiple Choice
What is the original, and primary reservoir of inorganic phosphate (PO43-)in terrestrial ecosystems?
live plants and animals
groundwater
the atmosphere
rocks
- 3. Multiple Choice
Plants are the only organisms that can directly absorb inorganic phosphorus ions (PO43-) and turn them into organic molecules that can support all other life processes in an ecosystem.
true
false
- 4. Multiple Choice
Inorganic phosphate (PO43-) is added to the soil by which three processes?
uplift; sedimentation; consumption
live plants; animal decomposition; bacterial fixation
precipitation; runoff; weathering of rock
animal excretion; decomposition; weathering of rock
- 5. Multiple Choice
Why is phosphorus important to biology?
it works alongside the nitrogen cycle to fertilize plants
it is the primary component of mountains, which serve as habitats for animals
it enhances decomposition of organic matter
it is a component of many biological molecules, such as nucleic acids, some lipids, ATP, and bony structures
- 6. Multiple Choice
Nitrogen and carbon are cycled on a global scale. Why does phosphorus cycling tend to occur more locally?
it primarily involves the weather of rocks, which are mostly stationary
it only involves land animals that cannot swim across oceans to transport the nutrient
it occurs in areas where cloud formation is low, so it rarely gets trapped in water vapors
all of the answers are correct
- 7. Multiple Choice
The phosphorus cycle occurs much more quickly than the carbon and nitrogen cycles.
true
false
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