1.6.2 Nutrient Cycles

• What is the primary role of nutrient cycles in ecosystems?

  Ensure element availability
• Match the component of a nutrient cycle with its role:

  Producers ↔️ Convert inorganic nutrients into organic matter

  Consumers ↔️ Obtain nutrients by consuming producers

  Decomposers ↔️ Break down dead organic matter
• What role do decomposers play in the phosphorus cycle?

  Release phosphate ions
• Nutrient cycles are the continuous processes in ecosystems where essential elements move between living organisms and the non-living environment
• Match the component with its role in nutrient cycles:

  Producers ↔️ Convert inorganic nutrients

  Consumers ↔️ Obtain nutrients by consuming others

  Decomposers ↔️ Break down dead organic matter
• Decomposers in the carbon cycle release carbon dioxide back into the environment.

  True
• Match the process in the nitrogen cycle with its key microorganisms:

  Nitrogen Fixation ↔️ Nitrogen-fixing bacteria

  Nitrification ↔️ Nitrifying bacteria

  Ammonification ↔️ Decomposers

  Denitrification ↔️ Denitrifying bacteria
• Ammonification releases ammonia from dead organic matter.


  True
• What is the process by which producers convert carbon dioxide into organic carbon compounds?

  Photosynthesis
• Match the process in the nitrogen cycle with its key microorganism:

  Nitrogen Fixation ↔️ Nitrogen-fixing bacteria

  Nitrification ↔️ Nitrifying bacteria

  Ammonification ↔️ Decomposers

  Denitrification ↔️ Denitrifying bacteria
• Plants absorb nitrates during the process of assimilation
• Steps in the carbon cycle, starting with carbon fixation:

  1️⃣ Carbon Fixation

  2️⃣ Carbon Consumption

  3️⃣ Carbon Decomposition
• Decomposers release carbon dioxide back into the environment through the process of decomposition
• Where do producers obtain phosphate ions in the phosphorus cycle?

  Soil
• The phosphorus cycle ensures the availability of phosphorus for all organisms in the ecosystem.


  True
• Nutrient cycles help maintain the health and diversity of species in ecosystems.

  True
• Decomposers release nutrients back into the environment by breaking down dead organic matter.


  True
• In the carbon cycle, decomposers release carbon dioxide back into the environment
• Consumers obtain nutrients by consuming producers or other consumers in nutrient cycles.


  True
• Decomposers return nutrients to the environment by breaking down dead organic matter.


  True
• In the nitrogen cycle, producers absorb nitrogen compounds
• Steps of the nitrogen cycle:

  1️⃣ Nitrogen Fixation

  2️⃣ Nitrification

  3️⃣ Assimilation

  4️⃣ Ammonification

  5️⃣ Denitrification
• Ammonia is converted into nitrites and then nitrates by nitrifying
• Carbon fixation in the carbon cycle involves the conversion of carbon dioxide into organic compounds
• Order the key steps in the phosphorus cycle:

  1️⃣ Producers absorb phosphate ions

  2️⃣ Consumers obtain phosphorus

  3️⃣ Decomposers release phosphate ions
• The carbon cycle ensures the continuous availability of carbon for all organisms in the ecosystem.


  True
• Nitrifying bacteria convert ammonia into nitrites and nitrates during nitrification.


  True
• The nitrogen cycle ensures nitrogen availability for plant and animal growth.


  True
• Consumers obtain carbon by consuming producers or other consumers.

  True
• Match the component of the phosphorus cycle with its role:

  Producers ↔️ Absorb phosphate ions from the soil

  Consumers ↔️ Obtain phosphorus by eating producers

  Decomposers ↔️ Release phosphate ions back into soil
• Decomposers release phosphate ions back into the soil through the breakdown of organic matter
• What is one benefit of nutrient cycles in ecosystems?

  Nutrient Availability
• What is one way nutrient cycles contribute to carbon sequestration?

  Store carbon dioxide
• Producers convert inorganic nutrients into organic matter through the process of photosynthesis
• What are the three key nutrient cycles in ecosystems?

  Nitrogen, carbon, phosphorus
• Match the nutrient cycle with a key process or role:

  Nitrogen Cycle ↔️ Decomposers release nitrogen

  Carbon Cycle ↔️ Photosynthesis converts carbon dioxide

  Phosphorus Cycle ↔️ Producers absorb phosphate ions
• What role do producers play in nutrient cycles?

  Convert inorganic nutrients
• What are the three key nutrient cycles in ecosystems?

  Nitrogen, carbon, phosphorus
• Which ion do producers absorb in the phosphorus cycle?

  Phosphate ions
• What form of nitrogen is produced by nitrogen-fixing bacteria?

  Ammonia