Chemical Cycles - High School Biology
Card 0 of 20
How does the human body return carbon to the atmosphere in the carbon cycle?
How does the human body return carbon to the atmosphere in the carbon cycle?
The carbon cycle is one of the most important cycles to living organisms. Carbon is one the most abundant elements on earth, helping to form molecules such as sugars, lipids, and proteins. There is a constant exchange of carbon from the abiotic and biotic environmental elements to the atmosphere. The breakdown of glucose is known as cellular respiration, and creates the byproduct carbon dioxide. This exhaled carbon dioxide is the method by which humans return carbon to the carbon cycle. Plants capture this carbon dioxide and use it to make sugars in a process called photosynthesis. As organisms die, they decompose and get compressed by soil, sand, or ice. These remains result in stored fossil fuels, which will be utilized by plants and extracted by humans for energy. Their extraction can cause a buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, leading to global warming.
The carbon cycle is one of the most important cycles to living organisms. Carbon is one the most abundant elements on earth, helping to form molecules such as sugars, lipids, and proteins. There is a constant exchange of carbon from the abiotic and biotic environmental elements to the atmosphere. The breakdown of glucose is known as cellular respiration, and creates the byproduct carbon dioxide. This exhaled carbon dioxide is the method by which humans return carbon to the carbon cycle. Plants capture this carbon dioxide and use it to make sugars in a process called photosynthesis. As organisms die, they decompose and get compressed by soil, sand, or ice. These remains result in stored fossil fuels, which will be utilized by plants and extracted by humans for energy. Their extraction can cause a buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, leading to global warming.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
Humans burn fossil fuels and wood, releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This carbon dioxide is then absorbed by trees for photosynthesis. These processes are contibutory to which chemical cycle?
Humans burn fossil fuels and wood, releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This carbon dioxide is then absorbed by trees for photosynthesis. These processes are contibutory to which chemical cycle?
The carbon dioxide that is released and then absorbed by plants is part of the carbon cycle because carbon dioxide is made up of a carbon atom and two oxygen atoms. The carbon cycle involves transfer of carbon from organic sources (decaying animals and plants), to the soil as fossil fuels and plant nutrients, to the air via plant absorption and fossil fuel burning, and back to organic sources as plants consume carbon dioxide in photosynthesis and animals consume plants.
The carbon dioxide that is released and then absorbed by plants is part of the carbon cycle because carbon dioxide is made up of a carbon atom and two oxygen atoms. The carbon cycle involves transfer of carbon from organic sources (decaying animals and plants), to the soil as fossil fuels and plant nutrients, to the air via plant absorption and fossil fuel burning, and back to organic sources as plants consume carbon dioxide in photosynthesis and animals consume plants.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
In the carbon cycle, animals can release carbon back into the cycle through __________ or through __________.
In the carbon cycle, animals can release carbon back into the cycle through __________ or through __________.
Animals can release carbon through respiration via exhalation of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Animals can also release carbon by decomposition, which breaks down organismal waste and dead organisms, and puts the carbon into the soil.
Plants use photosynthesis to capture carbon dioxide, and can store carbon via carbon fixation. Humans can burn wood and fossil fuels into the atmosphere, but most animals cannot release carbon via such processes.
Animals can release carbon through respiration via exhalation of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Animals can also release carbon by decomposition, which breaks down organismal waste and dead organisms, and puts the carbon into the soil.
Plants use photosynthesis to capture carbon dioxide, and can store carbon via carbon fixation. Humans can burn wood and fossil fuels into the atmosphere, but most animals cannot release carbon via such processes.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
Which of the following is an example of human impact on the carbon cycle?
Which of the following is an example of human impact on the carbon cycle?
There are several ways that humans impact the carbon cycle. One of these is the burning of fossil fuels (often associated with driving cars), which releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. It is important to remember that other human activities also impact the carbon cycle. The cutting down of trees reduces the amount of 
that can be taken out of the atmosphere. One human impact that is not frequently referenced is the amount of methane gas (
) released into the atmosphere by cattle farms, which is much harder to take out of the air than 
.
There are several ways that humans impact the carbon cycle. One of these is the burning of fossil fuels (often associated with driving cars), which releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. It is important to remember that other human activities also impact the carbon cycle. The cutting down of trees reduces the amount of
Compare your answer with the correct one above
If a forest fire occurs, what will happen to the carbon in the forest?
If a forest fire occurs, what will happen to the carbon in the forest?
A forest fire will destroy the animals and plants of an ecosystem, but it does not deplete that ecosystem of minerals. Carbon, specifically, will rise into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide 
. Since this is a gas, it will rise into the atmosphere. Any other minerals will return to the ground as ash.
A forest fire will destroy the animals and plants of an ecosystem, but it does not deplete that ecosystem of minerals. Carbon, specifically, will rise into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide
Compare your answer with the correct one above
Where does all the carbon in organisms originate from?
Where does all the carbon in organisms originate from?
All the carbon in organisms was originally obtained by plants from the earth's atmosphere. Plants fix carbon in the form of carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. Then, any animal that comes along and eats the plant gets the carbon too.
All the carbon in organisms was originally obtained by plants from the earth's atmosphere. Plants fix carbon in the form of carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. Then, any animal that comes along and eats the plant gets the carbon too.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
How do organism move carbon through the carbon cycle?
How do organism move carbon through the carbon cycle?
While not all organisms are capable of all three means of moving carbon to different stores, there are organisms that do respire, photosynthesize and upon death some will sink into the ocean's bottom and become sediment. All four are methods by which carbon is moved through the biosphere into other stores. Respiration and decomposition release carbon containing compounds into the atmosphere, and decomposition also releases carbon into the soil and ocean. Sedimentation allows carbon trapped in the bodies of phytoplankton and other micro marine photoautotrophs to be eventually moved by geological forces into the lithosphere of the Earth. Photosynthesis is in generally a method by which solar light energy is converted to chemical energy stored in the form of glucose a six carbon sugar using carbon dioxide and water as substrates.
While not all organisms are capable of all three means of moving carbon to different stores, there are organisms that do respire, photosynthesize and upon death some will sink into the ocean's bottom and become sediment. All four are methods by which carbon is moved through the biosphere into other stores. Respiration and decomposition release carbon containing compounds into the atmosphere, and decomposition also releases carbon into the soil and ocean. Sedimentation allows carbon trapped in the bodies of phytoplankton and other micro marine photoautotrophs to be eventually moved by geological forces into the lithosphere of the Earth. Photosynthesis is in generally a method by which solar light energy is converted to chemical energy stored in the form of glucose a six carbon sugar using carbon dioxide and water as substrates.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
Attempt to draw out the Carbon cycle to the best of your abilities without looking up a photo before answering this problem.
Which of the following is not one of the major carbon stores on Earth?
Attempt to draw out the Carbon cycle to the best of your abilities without looking up a photo before answering this problem.
Which of the following is not one of the major carbon stores on Earth?
All of the other choices asides from the ocean floor are major carbon stores. The atmosphere contains large amounts of carbon dioxide despite composing just a fraction of a percent of the Earth's atmosphere. The lithosphere contains large amounts of coal, oil and natural gas all of which are various mixtures of carbon containing compounds. The ocean dissolves and stores large amount of the atmosphere's carbon dioxide and the biosphere is all inclusive of living organism which are carbon based and contain a wide variety of carbon compounds.
All of the other choices asides from the ocean floor are major carbon stores. The atmosphere contains large amounts of carbon dioxide despite composing just a fraction of a percent of the Earth's atmosphere. The lithosphere contains large amounts of coal, oil and natural gas all of which are various mixtures of carbon containing compounds. The ocean dissolves and stores large amount of the atmosphere's carbon dioxide and the biosphere is all inclusive of living organism which are carbon based and contain a wide variety of carbon compounds.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
By what method is the majority of carbon moved from the lithosphere to the atmosphere?
By what method is the majority of carbon moved from the lithosphere to the atmosphere?
Only three of the five answers listed move carbon from the lithosphere to the atmosphere and of these the burning of fossil fuels moves the majority of the carbon that is moved from the lithosphere to the atmosphere.
Only three of the five answers listed move carbon from the lithosphere to the atmosphere and of these the burning of fossil fuels moves the majority of the carbon that is moved from the lithosphere to the atmosphere.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
What kind of organism sequesters the most carbon from the atmosphere?
What kind of organism sequesters the most carbon from the atmosphere?
Due to cell structure containing cell walls composed of cellulose made of the densely interwoven sheets of the six-carbon sugar glucose plants sequester large amounts of carbon in their cell walls.
Due to cell structure containing cell walls composed of cellulose made of the densely interwoven sheets of the six-carbon sugar glucose plants sequester large amounts of carbon in their cell walls.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
Why can plants not utilize naturally occurring nitrogen gas?
Why can plants not utilize naturally occurring nitrogen gas?
Like carbon, nitrogen is one the most abundant elements in biotic factors. Nitrogen gas is highly abundant in our atmosphere, however it cannot be utilized by humans and plants while in its gaseous state because of the very strong triple bond between the two nitrogen atoms. For plants to use nitrogen, they must have it converted to ammonium or nitrate by bacteria found in the soil and roots. The process of converting nitrogen gas to ammonium is called nitrogen fixation. Decomposition of plants and animals also releases ammonium into the ground. This ammonium can be further converted to nitrate with the help of nitrifying bacteria. Returning nitrogen back to the atmosphere is called denitrification. This process is carried out by some bacteria found in lakes and swamps. These bacteria are anaerobic, so they use the nitrate and release nitrogen gas into the air.
Like carbon, nitrogen is one the most abundant elements in biotic factors. Nitrogen gas is highly abundant in our atmosphere, however it cannot be utilized by humans and plants while in its gaseous state because of the very strong triple bond between the two nitrogen atoms. For plants to use nitrogen, they must have it converted to ammonium or nitrate by bacteria found in the soil and roots. The process of converting nitrogen gas to ammonium is called nitrogen fixation. Decomposition of plants and animals also releases ammonium into the ground. This ammonium can be further converted to nitrate with the help of nitrifying bacteria. Returning nitrogen back to the atmosphere is called denitrification. This process is carried out by some bacteria found in lakes and swamps. These bacteria are anaerobic, so they use the nitrate and release nitrogen gas into the air.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
Which of the following is most directly responsible for nitrogen fixation?
Which of the following is most directly responsible for nitrogen fixation?
Nitrogen fixation is mostly done by bacteria living in the soil. Plants need nitrogen to grow, but they cannot use it straight from the atmosphere or as ammonia from the soil.
Humans and animals largely obtain their necessary nitrogen by consuming plants, and do not fix nitrogen or rely directly on bacteria for the process.
Nitrogen fixation is mostly done by bacteria living in the soil. Plants need nitrogen to grow, but they cannot use it straight from the atmosphere or as ammonia from the soil.
Humans and animals largely obtain their necessary nitrogen by consuming plants, and do not fix nitrogen or rely directly on bacteria for the process.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
Which of the following biological processes is not linked to the nitrogen cycle?
Which of the following biological processes is not linked to the nitrogen cycle?
Condensation is not part of the nitrogen cycle. It is part of the water cycle, during which water molecules condense together in the atmosphere to form clouds.
Condensation is not part of the nitrogen cycle. It is part of the water cycle, during which water molecules condense together in the atmosphere to form clouds.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
Nitrification is the process of turning __________ into __________.
Nitrification is the process of turning __________ into __________.
Nitrification is the process by which nitrite (NO2-) is converted to nitrate (NO3-). This is the final step required in the processes used to oxidize nitrogen wastes (ammonia) to usable nitrate ions.
The conversion of gaseous nitrogen to ammonia (N2 to NH3) describes nitrogen fixation, and is usually done by nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
The conversion of nitrate to plant matter (NO3- to plants) describes the process of assimilation.
The conversion of nitrate to gaseous nitrogen (NO3- to N2) describes denitrification, and is performed by denitrification bacteria.
The conversion of animal waste to NH3 describes ammonification, and is accomplished by saprobiotic (decomposing) bacteria.
Nitrification is the process by which nitrite (NO2-) is converted to nitrate (NO3-). This is the final step required in the processes used to oxidize nitrogen wastes (ammonia) to usable nitrate ions.
The conversion of gaseous nitrogen to ammonia (N2 to NH3) describes nitrogen fixation, and is usually done by nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
The conversion of nitrate to plant matter (NO3- to plants) describes the process of assimilation.
The conversion of nitrate to gaseous nitrogen (NO3- to N2) describes denitrification, and is performed by denitrification bacteria.
The conversion of animal waste to NH3 describes ammonification, and is accomplished by saprobiotic (decomposing) bacteria.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
How do plants obtain nitrogen?
How do plants obtain nitrogen?
The nitrogen in plants comes from the soil. Bacteria in the soil take nitrogenous wastes and convert it into forms of nitrogen that plants can use. Plants then take up nitrogen through their roots.
The nitrogen in plants comes from the soil. Bacteria in the soil take nitrogenous wastes and convert it into forms of nitrogen that plants can use. Plants then take up nitrogen through their roots.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
What is the largest natural reservoir nitrogen on earth?
What is the largest natural reservoir nitrogen on earth?
The atmosphere is composed of 78% nitrogen gas and while by mass the atmosphere is less massive than the all the other choices the other choices are not primarily composed of nitrogen and contain relatively little compared to the nitrogen in the atmosphere.
The atmosphere is composed of 78% nitrogen gas and while by mass the atmosphere is less massive than the all the other choices the other choices are not primarily composed of nitrogen and contain relatively little compared to the nitrogen in the atmosphere.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
Is the majority of the Earth's nitrogen immediately available for use by plants and other living organisms? Why?
Is the majority of the Earth's nitrogen immediately available for use by plants and other living organisms? Why?
Since the nitrogen gas that composes 78% of the atmosphere is not immediately usable to all organisms except for nitrogen-fixing organisms the nitrogen that composes the Earth's major nitrogen reserve is not immediately usable to most organisms.
Since the nitrogen gas that composes 78% of the atmosphere is not immediately usable to all organisms except for nitrogen-fixing organisms the nitrogen that composes the Earth's major nitrogen reserve is not immediately usable to most organisms.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
Which of the following is not a way in which nitrogen is fixed?
Which of the following is not a way in which nitrogen is fixed?
Volatilization is a process by which fixed nitrogen is released back into the atmosphere as 
gas.
Volatilization is a process by which fixed nitrogen is released back into the atmosphere as
Compare your answer with the correct one above
What is the main way that fixed nitrogen is released back into the atmosphere?
What is the main way that fixed nitrogen is released back into the atmosphere?
Only two options here actually lead to the conversion of fixed nitrogen to atmospheric nitrogen, volatilization and denitrification of which denitrification is a relatively rapid process carried out by numerous denitrifying microbes thus making it the greater contributor to the return of nitrogen to the atmosphere from fixed nitrogen.
Only two options here actually lead to the conversion of fixed nitrogen to atmospheric nitrogen, volatilization and denitrification of which denitrification is a relatively rapid process carried out by numerous denitrifying microbes thus making it the greater contributor to the return of nitrogen to the atmosphere from fixed nitrogen.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
In the water cycle, how does water return to the ground?
In the water cycle, how does water return to the ground?
The water cycle is an important aspect of all ecosystems. It involves biotic and abiotic factors, which play a role in the pathways that move water in the water cycle. The water cycle is a recycling process that has no starting point, nor ending point. It can be divided into three stages: gas, liquid, and solid. The evaporation of water from bodies of water, such as an ocean, returns it to the atmosphere. This water, now in the clouds as vapor, can be converted back to liquid, which is known as condensation. The cooling of vapor in the clouds makes precipitation that is returned to the ground as rain, sleet, hail, and snow.
The water cycle is an important aspect of all ecosystems. It involves biotic and abiotic factors, which play a role in the pathways that move water in the water cycle. The water cycle is a recycling process that has no starting point, nor ending point. It can be divided into three stages: gas, liquid, and solid. The evaporation of water from bodies of water, such as an ocean, returns it to the atmosphere. This water, now in the clouds as vapor, can be converted back to liquid, which is known as condensation. The cooling of vapor in the clouds makes precipitation that is returned to the ground as rain, sleet, hail, and snow.
Compare your answer with the correct one above