Topic 1.5

Nitrogen Cycle

Topic 1.5 - College Board Topic Summary Information

Topic 1.5 - PowerPoint and Textbook Resources

Nitrogen Cycle

chapter 3 (pp. 78-79)

Topic 1.5 - College Board Videos to Watch

Go to: https://apclassroom.collegeboard.org/d/1pq6wjam88?sui=14,1 to watch Topic 1.5 Daily Video 1 which covers the movement of nitrogen between sources and sinks through the processes of fixation, ammonification, nitrification, assimilation, and denitrification.

Go to: https://apclassroom.collegeboard.org/d/5c10d95mgl?sui=14,1 to watch Topic 1.5 Daily Video 2 which quickly reviews the major processes of the nitrogen cycle, focusing on reservoir interactions. There is even a chance to practice AP-style questioning!

Take notes on each video that summarize important key points. Focus your notes not just on content, but also how you are going to demonstrate you mastery of the content using science practices. Be sure to answer and questions that are asked when you pause the video. Check your answers!

Topic 1.5 - Other Videos to Watch to Increase Content Mastery

Another great introduction to one of the biogeochemical cycles - the Nitrogen Cycle! Works great as an overall review as well.

The Nitrogen Cycle:

After watching this video can you answer the following questions?

1.What is the most abundant elements in the atmosphere by percent?

2.What is nitrogen used for in living organisms? Explain.

3.We get the nitrogen we need by eating plants and animals, how do plants obtain nitrogen? In what forms?

4.What are some ways that humans affect the nitrogen cycle? Describe.

Earth from Space: Lightning Produces Nitrates

After watching this video can you answer the following questions?

1.About how many lightning strikes are there on Earth per second? What types of clouds produce lightning?

2.What does lightning do to nitrogen molecules? What happens to the individual nitrogen atoms, what do they combine with and form?

3.How much nitrate is produced by lightning? How does it reach Earth's surface? When it rains from thunderstorms what happens? How do plants obtain it?

Nitrogen Fixation - Seven Wonders of the Microbe World

After watching this video can you answer the following questions?

1.Why are nitrogen fixing bacteria essential for life?

2.Why can't plants take nitrogen directly from the atmosphere?

3.In what types of plants do some types of bacteria live? Where in the plant do they live and what happens there? What type of relationship is it and what are some of the benefits?

4.Who is Fritz Haber? Why was his invention so important to modern agriculture? What are some of the negative aspects associated with inorganic fertilizers?

The Nitrogen Cycle:

After watching this video can you answer the following questions?

1.Where does most nitrogen exist on our planet? In what form? What type of bond holds nitrogen molecules together? With what strength?

2.What forms of nitrogen are needed by plants? Be specific about who needs what form.

3.What are some ways that humans affect the nitrogen cycle? How can we minimize and reduce the amount of nitrogen we put into natural ecosystems and the atmosphere?

Cycles Within Ecosystems - Nitrogen Cycle:

After watching this video can you answer the following questions?

1.What organisms play an important role in the nitrogen cycle?

2.What exactly are biogeochemical cycles?

3.What is nitrogen fixation and how does it take place?

4.Can you summarize the four (4) types of bacteria in the nitrogen cycle and what they each do?

Check Your Understanding:

Log on to your CollegeBoard MyAP account and answer the questions in the quiz posted. Be sure to complete the quiz by the deadline given.

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