A2 Biology Unit 4 - Nutrient cycles

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Explain the simple nutrient cycle
Nutrients are taken up by producers as simple inorganic molecules, when producer eaten nutrient passes to consumers and so forth, when animal dies it is broken down by saprobiotic microorganisms that release nutrients into soil
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Name the two reasons why carbon dioxide levels have increased in the atmosphere over the years
Combustion of fossils fuels and deforestation
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How do plants uptake nitrogen?
They uptake nitrogen ions through absorbtion by active transport by the roots
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What are the four main stages of the nitrogen cycle?
Ammonification, Nitrification, Nitrogen fixing and Dentrification
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What is ammonification?
Production of ammonia from organic ammonium containing organisms that saprobiotic organisms feed on and release ammonium ions
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What is nitrification?
The reaction that converts ammonium ions into nitrate ions - oxidation reaction and releases energy, carried out by nitrifying bacteria, it also requires oxygen
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What is nitrogen fixation?
Process where nitrogen gas is converted into nitrogen containing compounds
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What is dentrification?
Anaerobic dentrifying bacteria convert soil nitrates into gaseous nitrogen
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What are natural (organic) fertilisers?
Dead or decaying remains of plants and animals
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What are artificial (inorganic) fertilisers?
Mined from rocks to give minerals to plants
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How do fertilisers increase productivity?
As plants require minerals for their growth and fertilisers provide these minerals
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How can nitrogen fertilisers reduce species diversity?
As they favour species such as grass which over compete other species and causes them to die
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What is leaching?
Process by which nutrients are removed from the soil
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What is a danger concerning humans and leaching?
They may find themselves in water as nutrients are soluble in water which may cause harm if drunk
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What is Eutrophication?
Process by which nutrients build up in bodies of water
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Explain the process of Eutrophication
Algae begins to grow due to increased nitrogen in lakes, this covers the surface the be covered preventing light reaching plants which prevent PS so they die, this increases saprobiotic organisms which remove bacteria and cause mammals to die
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Name the two reasons why carbon dioxide levels have increased in the atmosphere over the years

Back

Combustion of fossils fuels and deforestation

Card 3

Front

How do plants uptake nitrogen?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What are the four main stages of the nitrogen cycle?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What is ammonification?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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