The Phosphorus Cycle

1. The Phosphorus Cycle Karen Atkins Kira Bartholomew Joanna Jao Lauren Kim APES, Period 6

3. 3Parts of Cycle: 1.) Reservoirs 2.) Assimilation 3.) Release

4. Reservoirs • Erosion transfers phosphorus to water and soil • Sediments and rocks on ocean floors return to the surface as a result of natural uplifting

5. Assimilation • Plants absorb inorganic phosphate from soils. • Animals obtain organic phosphorus when they eat plants for other animals.

6. Release • Dead plants and animals release phosphorus when they decompose. • Animals excrete phosphate in their waste products.

7. Key Terms ATP (Adenine Triphosphate): Transfers energy from chemical bonds Respiration: Process by which cells use oxygen to burn sugar for fuel

8. Key Terms Biomass: Amount of living matter in a given habitat Uplift (in geology): The rise or upheaval of portions of the earth’s surface

9. Amount of Compound Atmosphere: None, because phosphorus rarely occurs in a gaseous state. Lithosphere:0.1% phosphorus Hydrosphere: None Biosphere: None

10. Ecological Importance • Phosphorus enters the environment when industries use it to make other chemicals and when the army uses it as ammunition • Increasing phosphorus concentrations in surface waters raise the growth of phosphate-dependent organisms

11. Biological Importance • Essential component of DNA, RNA, and ATP • Found in cell membranes as phospholipids • Limiting nutrient in the growth of autotrophs

13. Works Cited • http://cheese.about.com/b/a/000029.htm • http://www.princeton.edu/~chm333/2002/spring/Biochemical/phosphorus/phosphorus_cycle.htm