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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Works Cited htm 33/2002/spring/Biochemical/p hosphorus/phosphorus_cycle.htm