Download Phosphorus Cycle

Phosphorus Cycle
By: Zach, Brandon, Lacy, and Braden
Definition…
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The phosphorus cycle is the
biogeochemical cycle (how phosphorus is
in between life and earth) that describes
the movement of phosphorus through the
lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.
The atmosphere doesn’t play a significant
role in phosphorus because phosphorus
compounds are solids during the typical
ranges of temperature and pressure
found on Earth.
Phosphorus Cycle
Explanation of the Cycle
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Rocks start out the Phosphorus
Cycle.
When it rains, phosphates are
removed from the rocks and are
spread out through both soils and
water.
Plants use up phosphate ions from
the soil.
Phosphate moves from the plants to
animals when herbivores eat plants
and carnivores eat plants or
herbivores.
Explanation of the Cycle continued….
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Animals release the phosphate into the
ground.
It is then decomposed by bacteria and
fungi.
It then goes through the soil or releases
into the water.
As the rocks are forming they will either
join with phosphate or the phosphate will
go into the roots of plants and start the
cycle over again.
Facts!
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Phosphorus is element number 15.
It differs from other biogeochemical cycles
because it does not include a gas phase.
Humans can alter the phosphorus cycle by the
cutting of tropical rain forests and through the
use of agricultural fertilizers.
Agricultural runoff provides much of the
phosphate found in waterways.
At one time the use of laundry detergents
contributed to significant concentrations of
phosphates in rivers, lakes, and streams, but
most detergents no longer include phosphorus as
an ingredient.
More Facts…
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Phosphorus is one of the most limiting
elements in the ecological system.
Phosphorus is involved in energy transfer
and in the passage of the genetic
information in the DNA.
Because of phosphorus’ high reactivity, it
exists in combined forms of other
elements.
Like calcium, phosphorus is important to
the vertebrates. In the human body, 80%
of phosphorus is found in teeth and
bones.
Quiz!
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Question # 1.
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What is the
element number of
Phosphorus?
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A. 14
B. 27
C. 15
Answer is C!
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Question # 2.
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How does the
Phosphorus cycle
start?
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A. It begins with the
formation of rocks and
phosphorus.
B. It begins when
phosphates move
from plants to
animals.
C. It begins by
decomposing through
bacteria and fungi.
Answer is A!
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Question # 3
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Phosphorus is a
_____ Cycle?
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Biochemical
Biogeochemical
Geochemical
Answer is B!
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Question # 4
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How can humans
alter the
Phosphorus Cycle?
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A. By cutting the
tropical rain
forests.
B. Through the
use of agricultural
fertilizers.
C. Both A and B
Answer is C!
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Question # 5
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Phosphorus is
important to what
part of the body?
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A. Tissue
B. The lungs
C. Vertebrates
Answer is C!
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Question # 6
Phosphorus is
found in 80% of
what two body
parts?
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A. Teeth and
muscle
B. Bones and teeth
C. Bones and
muscle
Answer is B!
Answers to Quiz
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
C
A
B
C
C
B
The End!!!
By: Lacy, Brandon, Braden, and Zach