Nutrient Cycling MCQs (Quiz 8)

1. Which of the following best describes nutrient turnover in an ecosystem?

Nutrients are converted into rocks and stored underground

Nutrients are continuously recycled through living organisms and the environment

Nutrients are permanently removed from circulation by soil sediments

Nutrients flow in one direction from producers to decomposers

2. Lichens are ecologically important because they _________________

Initiate rock weathering and soil development

Immobilize nutrients permanently

Reduce mineral release

Prevent soil formation

3. Coal, petroleum, and natural gas are considered major carbon reservoirs because they ________________

Store carbon that was fixed by photosynthesis millions of years ago

Are produced directly from atmospheric CO₂ each year

Contain only inorganic carbon compounds

Continuously absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide

4. Heavy rainfall following fertilizer application often leads to nutrient loss because ______________

It converts nutrients into gases

It increases nutrient fixation in soil

It enhances leaching of soluble nutrients below the root zone

It promotes weathering of bedrock

5. Which nutrient cycle is most dependent on weathering processes?

Oxygen cycle

Phosphorus cycle

Nitrogen cycle

Carbon cycle

6. Which statement best summarizes the ecological significance of weathering?

It links geology and ecology by releasing nutrients and supporting soil formation

It functions independently of ecosystems

It only alters landscape appearance

It only affects geological formations

7. Which of the following best explains why root hair cells are well adapted for absorption in plants?

They contain chloroplasts to produce energy for mineral uptake

They are covered in a thick waxy cuticle to prevent water loss

They have a large surface area and thin walls, facilitating efficient uptake of water and ions from soil

They are located above ground to access atmospheric moisture

8. During the decomposition of organic matter, bacteria break down proteins and nucleic acids. What nitrogenous product is directly released by this process?

Nitrate ions (NO₃⁻)

Urea

Nitrite ions (NO₂⁻)

Ammonium ions (NH₄⁺)

9. Which of the following best explains why life on Earth is sustainable over geological timescales despite a fixed supply of nutrients?

Nutrients are imported from space through meteorite impacts at a sufficient rate

Nutrients cycle repeatedly through biotic and abiotic components via biogeochemical cycles, whereas energy cannot be recycled, and is continuously supplied by solar input

New nutrients are continuously generated through nuclear reactions in the Earth’s core

Solar energy drives the continuous synthesis of new nutrient molecules from atmospheric gases

10. Biological weathering may contribute to chemical weathering through ________________

Lowering atmospheric pressure

Increasing rock density

Production of organic acids by organisms

Reduction of humidity

Question 1 of 10

Nutrient Cycling MCQs (Quiz 8)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Notes

Welcome to Agro-Publishers