Nitrogen Cycle

Where does ammonia come from in the soil?

- Decaying organic matter - In ammoniumification

Which species impacted Yellowstone?

- Wolves - Beavers - Parrotfish - Elephants

What are the steps nitrogen takes to get into the food web?

1. Thunderstorms turn atmospheric nitrogen into nitrogen's. 2. After going into the soil, nitrifying bacteria converts ammonia and ammonium to nitrate and nitrite. 3. Denitrifying bacteria converts nitrate and nitrite into atmospheric nitrogen.

Causes a decrease in elephants

1. poaching 2. loss of habitat 3. loss of resources 4. disease

What happens when there is too much nitrogen in the water?

Algae blooms form

How is ammonia released?

As organic organisms decompose in the soil.

What happens in a symbiotic relationship that is defined as mutualistic?

Both parties would benefit since the relationship is symbiotic.

Ammonia

Comes from the soil in decaying organic material.

Denitrifying Bacteria

Convert nitrates (NO3) and nitrite (NO2-) into atmospheric nitrogen (N2)

Nitrifying Bacteria

Converts: ammonia + ammonium Into: nitrate + nitrite

Denitrifying Bacteria

Converts: nitrate + nitrite Into: atmospheric nitrogen

How do farmers grow corn and soybeans in Illinois?

Farmers would alternate corn and soybean annually. This is because corn drains nitrogen from the soil while the soybeans absorb sugars and fix nitrogen so plants can use it, defined as symbiotic.

Algae Blooms

Forms when there is too much nitrogen in water. - typically from fertilizer

What organism is able to turn unusable nitrogen into a form usable for plants?

Free living bacteria

How does a lion get its source of nitrogen to form its DNA or proteins?

From their source of animal food.

How does an elephant get its source of nitrogen to form its DNA or proteins (like collagen)?

From their source of plant food.

Trophic Cascades

Indirect effect of top predators on lower trophic levels.

Are all apex predators keystone species?

No, not all.

Can a plant directly use an organism's waste right away as as fertilizer?

No, plants can only use NO3- which means that they have to convert the waste before using it.

Symbiotic

Organisms are mutually benefited; supporting one another's life.

Eating source

Plants: soil Herbivores: plants Carnivores: meat

Logistic Growth

Population growth that is controlled by limited resources. - reached carrying capacity * "S" shaped curve

Exponential Growth

Population is still increasing in size. - still growing * "J" shaped curve

Carrying Capasity

The number of organisms an ecosystem can hold.

How does an elephant get its source of nitrogen in the food web.

Through tree bark or other types of plant food.

Nitrifying Bacteria

Turns ammonia and ammonium I n decaying matter into nitrate and nitrite.

Keystone Species

When removed from ecosystem whole system unravels or species that has large impact on species in that ecosystem.

Symbiotic

mutually beneficial; supporting one another's life