All Flashcards
Why is phosphorus important for living organisms?
Essential for DNA, RNA, and ATP production; a key component of cell membranes and bones.
Why is phosphorus a limiting nutrient in aquatic ecosystems?
It doesn't dissolve easily in water and tends to cling to soil particles, making it less available.
What is the main reservoir of phosphorus?
Rocks and sediments in the Earth's crust.
How does the phosphorus cycle differ from the nitrogen cycle?
Phosphorus cycle has minimal atmospheric component; nitrogen cycle has a significant atmospheric component.
What role does decomposition play in the phosphorus cycle?
Releases phosphorus from dead organisms back into the soil and water, making it available to other organisms.
Explain the role of geologic uplift in the phosphorus cycle.
Brings phosphorus-containing rocks from the ocean floor to land, where weathering releases the phosphorus.
How do humans impact the phosphorus cycle?
Through the use of fertilizers and detergents, leading to excess phosphorus in water bodies.
What is the effect of excess phosphorus in aquatic ecosystems?
Leads to eutrophication, algal blooms, and the creation of dead zones.
Describe the connection between phosphorus and ATP.
Phosphorus is a key component of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the main energy currency of cells.
What is the significance of phosphorus in DNA and RNA?
Forms the backbone of DNA and RNA molecules, essential for genetic information storage and transfer.
What are the main steps of the phosphorus cycle?
Weathering, transportation, absorption, decomposition, sedimentation, and geologic uplift.
Describe the process of weathering in the phosphorus cycle.
Rocks break down, releasing phosphate into soil and water.
Describe the process of absorption in the phosphorus cycle.
Plants and animals take up phosphate from soil and water.
Describe the process of decomposition in the phosphorus cycle.
Organic matter decomposes, returning phosphate to soil and water.
Describe the process of sedimentation in the phosphorus cycle.
Phosphate settles at the bottom of water bodies, forming sediments.
Describe the process of geologic uplift in the phosphorus cycle.
Sediments containing phosphate are uplifted to form land.
Describe the process of eutrophication.
Excess nutrients lead to algal blooms, decomposition, and oxygen depletion.
Describe the transportation of phosphorus in the cycle.
Phosphorus moves from land to water via runoff and groundwater.
How does phosphorus move from soil to plants?
Plants absorb phosphorus from the soil through their roots.
How is phosphorus returned to the soil from animals?
Through decomposition of animal waste and remains.
What are the effects of phosphorus runoff from fertilizers?
Eutrophication, algal blooms, dead zones in aquatic ecosystems.
What causes eutrophication?
Excessive phosphorus and nitrogen in water bodies.
What are the effects of algal blooms?
Oxygen depletion, fish kills, reduced water quality.
What are the causes of dead zones?
Decomposition of algal blooms depletes oxygen in water.
What is the effect of weathering on the phosphorus cycle?
Releases phosphorus from rocks into the soil and water.
What is the effect of deforestation on the phosphorus cycle?
Increased runoff and soil erosion, leading to phosphorus loss from the land.
What is the effect of using phosphorus-containing detergents?
Increased phosphorus levels in wastewater and aquatic ecosystems.
What is the effect of geologic uplift on the phosphorus cycle?
Brings phosphorus-containing rocks to the surface, making it available through weathering.
What is the effect of increased sedimentation on the phosphorus cycle?
Phosphorus becomes trapped in sediments, reducing its availability to organisms.
What is the effect of decomposition on the phosphorus cycle?
Returns phosphorus from organic matter to the soil and water, making it available to other organisms.