Question 1

Organisms need nutrients in order to
A)utilize hydrogen and oxygen.
B)carry out essential life functions.
C)recycle chemical compounds.
D)carry out nitrogen fixation.

Accepted Answer

Nutrients are essential for organisms because they provide the necessary components for metabolic processes, energy production, and the synthesis of cellular materials, which are all critical for carrying out essential life functions.

Question 2

The movements of energy and nutrients through living systems are different because
A)energy flows in one direction and nutrients recycle.
B)energy is limited in the biosphere and nutrients are always available.
C)nutrients flow in one direction and energy recycles.
D)energy forms chemical compounds and nutrients are lost as heat.

Accepted Answer

Energy flows in one direction through an ecosystem, typically entering as sunlight and leaving as heat, while nutrients are recycled within the ecosystem, passing through various organisms and the environment.

Question 3

Biogeochemical cycling ensures that
A)human activity will have no effect on elements, chemical
B)c compounds, and other forms of matter. living organisms will not become limited in any one nutrient. nutrients will be circulated throughout the biosphere.
C)nutrients will be circulated throughout the biosphere.
D)many nutrients will not reach toxic concentrations in the biosphere.

Accepted Answer

Biogeochemical cycling is the process through which nutrients are recycled through the biosphere, involving the living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components of the Earth. This ensures that nutrients are available across different ecosystems and locations, but does not guarantee that human activity will have no effect, that organisms won't become nutrient-limited, or that nutrients won't reach toxic levels.

Quiz 1: Ecology and Ecosystems: Understanding Interactions and Energy Flow

Organisms need nutrients in order to

The movements of energy and nutrients through living systems are different because

Biogeochemical cycling ensures that