Question

for each statement, identify whether the description is describing the carbon cycle or the nitrogen cycle.

	carbon cycle	nitrogen cycle
co₂ in water is stored in the shells of marine organisms that are buried in ocean sediment and form sedimentary rock	○	○
decomposers break down nitrogen waste into ammonia (nh₃)	○	○
decomposing bacteria take in nitrogen gas (n₂) and use it to make ammonia (nh₃) during nitrogen fixation	○	○
organisms release co₂ to the air during cellular respiration	○	○
producers take in carbon dioxide (co₂) and use it to make organic molecules during photosynthesis	○	○
soil bacteria convert ammonia (nh₃) to nitrate (no₃) ions, a form that plants can take in and use	○	○
soil bacteria convert nitrate (no₃) ions to nitrogen gas (n₂) and release it back into the atmosphere during denitrification	○	○

Explanation:

To determine if a statement describes the carbon or nitrogen cycle, we analyze the key elements and processes:

1. "CO₂ in air dissolves in water, forming carbonate and bicarbonate ions": Involves carbon dioxide (\( \text{CO}_2 \)) and carbon - based ions. This is part of the carbon cycle.
2. "CO₂ in water is stored in the shells of marine organisms that are buried in ocean sediment and form sedimentary rock": Involves \( \text{CO}_2 \) and carbon - containing shells (e.g., calcium carbonate). This is part of the carbon cycle.
3. "Decomposers break down nitrogen waste into ammonia (\( \text{NH}_3 \))": Involves nitrogen waste and ammonia (\( \text{NH}_3 \)), which are nitrogen - based. This is part of the nitrogen cycle.
4. "Decomposing bacteria take in nitrogen gas (\( \text{N}_2 \)) and use it to make ammonia (\( \text{NH}_3 \)) during nitrogen fixation": Involves nitrogen gas (\( \text{N}_2 \)) and ammonia (\( \text{NH}_3 \)), key components of the nitrogen cycle. This is part of the nitrogen cycle.
5. "Organisms release \( \text{CO}_2 \) to the air during cellular respiration": Cellular respiration releases \( \text{CO}_2 \), a key process in the carbon cycle. This is part of the carbon cycle.
6. "Producers take in carbon dioxide (\( \text{CO}_2 \)) and use it to make organic molecules during photosynthesis": Photosynthesis uses \( \text{CO}_2 \) to make organic carbon - based molecules. This is part of the carbon cycle.
7. "Soil bacteria convert ammonia (\( \text{NH}_3 \)) to nitrate (\( \text{NO}_3^- \)) ions, a form that plants can take in and use": Involves ammonia (\( \text{NH}_3 \)) and nitrate (\( \text{NO}_3^- \)), which are nitrogen - based. This is part of the nitrogen cycle.
8. "Soil bacteria convert nitrate (\( \text{NO}_3^- \)) ions to nitrogen gas (\( \text{N}_2 \)) and release it back into the atmosphere during denitrification": Involves nitrate (\( \text{NO}_3^- \)) and nitrogen gas (\( \text{N}_2 \)), key components of the nitrogen cycle. This is part of the nitrogen cycle.

Answer:

1. "CO₂ in air dissolves in water, forming carbonate and bicarbonate ions": Carbon Cycle (select the circle under Carbon Cycle)
2. "CO₂ in water is stored in the shells of marine organisms that are buried in ocean sediment and form sedimentary rock": Carbon Cycle (select the circle under Carbon Cycle)
3. "Decomposers break down nitrogen waste into ammonia (NH₃)": Nitrogen Cycle (select the circle under Nitrogen Cycle)
4. "Decomposing bacteria take in nitrogen gas (N₂) and use it to make ammonia (NH₃) during nitrogen fixation": Nitrogen Cycle (select the circle under Nitrogen Cycle)
5. "Organisms release CO₂ to the air during cellular respiration": Carbon Cycle (select the circle under Carbon Cycle)
6. "Producers take in carbon dioxide (CO₂) and use it to make organic molecules during photosynthesis": Carbon Cycle (select the circle under Carbon Cycle)
7. "Soil bacteria convert ammonia (NH₃) to nitrate (NO₃⁻) ions, a form that plants can take in and use": Nitrogen Cycle (select the circle under Nitrogen Cycle)
8. "Soil bacteria convert nitrate (NO₃⁻) ions to nitrogen gas (N₂) and release it back into the atmosphere during denitrification": Nitrogen Cycle (select the circle under Nitrogen Cycle)