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Phosphorus Cycle. Definition…. 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.
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Definition… • 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.
Explanation of the Cycle • 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…. • 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! • 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… • 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.
Phosphorus Cycle(Phosphorus is required for the manufactureof ATP and all nucleic acids-DNA) 1. Reservoir – erosion transfers phosphorus to water and soil; sediments and rocks that accumulate on ocean floors return to the surface as a result of uplifting by geological processes 2. Assimilation – plants absorb inorganic PO43-(phosphate)from soils; animals obtain organic phosphorus when they plants and other animals 3. Release – plants and animals release phosphorus when they decompose; animals excrete phosphorus in their waste products
Question # 1. What is the element number of Phosphorus? A. 14 B. 27 C. 15 Quiz!
Question # 2. How does the Phosphorus cycle start? 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.
Question # 3 Phosphorus is a _____ Cycle? Biochemical Biogeochemical Geochemical
Question # 4 How can humans alter the Phosphorus Cycle? A. By cutting the tropical rain forests. B. Through the use of agricultural fertilizers. C. Both A and B
Question # 5 Phosphorus is important to what part of the body? A. Tissue B. The lungs C. Vertebrates
Question # 6 Phosphorus is found in 80% of what two body parts? A. Teeth and muscle B. Bones and teeth C. Bones and muscle
Answers to Quiz • 1. C • 2. A • 3. B • 4. C • 5. C • 6. B
