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
