Flashcards
The Phosphorus Cycle
Cards in this deck (4)
- 1What is the first stage of the Phosphorus Cycle ?1. Saprobiotic decay = bacteria and fungus digest large biological molecules through EXTRACELLULAR DIGESTION and absorb the simple products. The metabolism of these saprobionts release ions containing phosphorus - the most common being phosphate ions.
- 2What happens to the phosphate ions produced?1. Plants absorb some but not all
2. Some are washed away and end up in lakes/rivers/oceans. These settle to the floor and become sediment - 3What happens to the sediment?The phosphates are returned to the cycle ONLY if a geological upheaval exposes sedimentary rock to weathering
- 4Why is the Phosphorus Cycle simpler than the Nitrogen Cycle?Because plants and other producers can absorb phosphate ions directly- there is no equivalent to nitrification.
And...
There are no gases involved.
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- A level Biology (Nutrient cycles) Flashcards on The Phosphorus Cycle, created by Tia Lander on 25/03/2017.
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- Tia Lander
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