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Chapter 23: Problem 8

What is a biochemical cycle? What is a reservoir and an exchange pool? Give an example of each. (page 548 )

Short Answer

Expert verified
A biochemical cycle is the natural process of nutrient and element conversion and transport across different compartments of an ecosystem, involving both biotic and abiotic components. A reservoir is a large, relatively stable store of a substance in a biochemical cycle, acting as a source and sink for the substance. An exchange pool is a temporary component in a biochemical cycle that facilitates material transfer between reservoirs and biotic components. An example of a biochemical cycle is the carbon cycle, with the Earth's oceans as a reservoir and the atmosphere as an exchange pool.

Step by step solution

01

Defining Biochemical Cycle

A biochemical cycle refers to the natural processes through which nutrients and elements are converted into various chemical forms and are transported across different compartments of an ecosystem, such as the atmosphere, living organisms, and soils. It involves the cycling of substances through biotic (living organisms) and abiotic (non-living) components of ecosystems.
02

Defining a Reservoir

A reservoir is a large and relatively stable store of a substance in a biochemical cycle, where it can reside for a long period. Reservoirs act as a source of materials for other components of the cycle and serve as a sink for the substance, allowing the overall system to remain balanced.
03

Defining an Exchange Pool

An exchange pool refers to a component of a biochemical cycle where a substance, such as an element or nutrient, is held temporarily before being transferred to another part of the cycle. The exchange pool acts as an intermediary between the reservoir and the biotic components of the ecosystem, facilitating the movement of materials between them.
04

Example of a Biochemical Cycle

One example of a biochemical cycle is the carbon cycle. The carbon cycle is the process through which carbon is cycled through the Earth's ecosystems, including the atmosphere, the biosphere, the hydrosphere, and the geosphere. This cycle consists of various processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and combustion that contribute to the transformation and movement of carbon in and out of different pools.
05

Example of a Reservoir

An example of a reservoir in the carbon cycle is the Earth's oceans. The oceans hold a large amount of dissolved carbon dioxide, which is exchanged with the atmosphere through processes like gas diffusion and sea-air exchange. This makes the oceans an important reservoir for carbon, as they absorb and release carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to regulate Earth's climate.
06

Example of an Exchange Pool

An example of an exchange pool in the carbon cycle is the atmosphere. The atmosphere contains a relatively small amount of carbon in the form of carbon dioxide and methane. However, it is crucial for the exchange of carbon between the Earth's surface and the biosphere, as carbon dioxide is absorbed by plants during photosynthesis and released back into the atmosphere through respiration, decomposition, and human activities like burning fossil fuels.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Nutrient cycles always involve a. rocks as a reservoir. b. movement of nutrients through the biotic community. c. the atmosphere as an exchange pool. d. loss of the nutrients from the biosphere.

Name the four different types of consumers (heterotrophs) found in ecosystems. (page 544 )

How do nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the soil contribute to the nitrogen cycle? a. They return nitrogen to the atmosphere. b. They change ammonium to nitrate. c. They change nitrogen to ammonium. d. They withdraw nitrate from the soil. e. They decompose and return nitrogen to autotrophs.

What are the major types of terrestrial ecosystems? Describe each with its temperature, rainfall, and type of vegetation. (pages \(542-43\) )

How do plants contribute to the carbon cycle? a. When plants respire, they release \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) into the atmosphere b. When plants photosynthesize, they consume \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) from the atmosphere. c. When plants photosynthesize, they provide oxygen to heterotrophs. d. When plants emigrate, they transport carbon molecules between ecosystems. e. Both a and b are correct.
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