Nutrient Cycling MCQs (Quiz 4)

1. Which of the following is an abiotic component?

Herbivores

Fungi

Atmosphere

Algae

2. Which of the following correctly distinguishes a nutrient source from a nutrient sink?

A source releases more nutrients than it absorbs; a sink absorbs more than it releases

A source permanently removes nutrients from circulation; a sink temporarily stores them

A source and sink perform identical functions at different rates

A source absorbs more nutrients than it releases; a sink does the opposite

3. Nutrient immobilization refers to the process in which _________________

All available soil nutrients are exhausted by plant uptake

Nutrients are permanently removed from circulation via surface runoff

Nutrients become temporarily unavailable as they are incorporated into living biomass or organic matter

Nutrients are chemically destroyed by soil microorganisms

4. The primary reservoir/s for the sedimentary phosphorus cycle include __________________

Rocks and soil

Atmosphere

Living organisms

Oceans

5. Which of the following correctly distinguishes nitrogen fixation from nitrification?

Nitrogen fixation converts atmospheric N₂ into ammonia using the nitrogenase enzyme; nitrification converts ammonia into nitrites and then nitrates through oxidation

Both processes begin with atmospheric nitrogen but produce different end products

Nitrogen fixation converts ammonia to nitrates; nitrification converts nitrates to nitrogen gas

Nitrogen fixation is carried out by the same bacteria responsible for denitrification

6. Which of the following nutrient cycles is most directly tied to global climate change and the greenhouse effect?

Phosphorus cycle

Nitrogen cycle

Water cycle

Carbon cycle

7. What happens to energy and nutrients after they pass through a food chain?

Both are recycled back to producers without any loss

Energy is lost as heat at each trophic level, while nutrients are returned to the environment by decomposers and reused

Both are permanently lost from the ecosystem after use

Energy is recycled by decomposers; nutrients are lost as heat

8. Which organism forms a symbiotic relationship with plant roots to significantly enhance the absorption of phosphorus and other immobile soil nutrients?

Mycorrhizal fungi

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Cyanobacteria

Earthworms

9. The primary result of weathering is _____________

Formation of new mountain ranges

Conversion of sedimentary rocks into magma

Development of ocean currents

Disintegration and decomposition of rocks and minerals

10. Which process is classified as chemical weathering?

Exfoliation

Frost shattering

Hydrolysis

Root wedging

Question 1 of 10

Nutrient Cycling MCQs (Quiz 4)

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