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Phosphorus cycle - Quiz
Contributed by: Daly
  • 1. Which sphere does not play a significant role in the phosphorus cycle?
A) Hydrosphere
B) Lithosphere
C) Atmosphere
D) Biosphere
  • 2. What is the most common form of phosphorus found in the environment?
A) Phosphorus gas
B) Pure phosphorus
C) Phosphine
D) Orthophosphate
  • 3. Which of these is a vital biological component that requires phosphorus?
A) Sodium
B) Carbon dioxide
C) Glucose
D) DNA
  • 4. What compound is a key component of animal bones and teeth?
A) Quartz
B) Apatite
C) Orthoclase
D) Calcite
  • 5. What is the primary driver of the long-term global phosphorus cycle?
A) Animal migration
B) Solar radiation
C) Tectonic movement
D) Atmospheric pressure
  • 6. What phenomenon occurs when phosphorus causes over-production in aquatic ecosystems?
A) Eutrophication
B) Desertification
C) Salinization
D) Acidification
  • 7. Which human activity is identified as a major cause of changes to the phosphorus cycle?
A) Overfishing
B) Deforestation
C) Urbanization
D) Mining
  • 8. What is generally the limiting nutrient in aquatic ecosystems?
A) Carbon
B) Oxygen
C) Hydrogen
D) Phosphorus
  • 9. Where does the phosphorus needed for cell membranes (phospholipids) come from?
A) It is synthesized by animals
B) It is absorbed from the air
C) Plants assimilate it as phosphate
D) It is absorbed through skin
  • 10. Why does phosphorus availability in soil decrease over thousands of years?
A) Excessive plant growth
B) Loss through runoff
C) Microbial overconsumption
D) Chemical evaporation
  • 11. What is the primary cause of saltwater algal blooms?
A) Excess oxygen
B) Excess phosphorus
C) Excess nitrogen
D) Excess carbon
  • 12. How is phosphorus primarily released from rocks and minerals?
A) Volcanic activity
B) Biological decay
C) Weathering
D) Photosynthesis
  • 13. What substance is often the source of phosphorus-rich deposits?
A) Guano
B) Petroleum
C) Coal
D) Peat
  • 14. What role do soil microorganisms play in the phosphorus cycle?
A) They have no effect
B) They act as both sinks and sources
C) They create phosphorus from air
D) They destroy all phosphorus
  • 15. What happens to most phosphorus in the soil over a long period?
A) It transforms into insoluble compounds
B) It disappears completely
C) It becomes highly soluble
D) It turns into a gas
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