What are the similarities and differences between the Fe cycle and Ca cycle?
What will be an ideal response?
Answer: Both Fe and Ca cycle between insoluble and soluble forms. Ca, however, has only one redox state and cycles between insoluble CaCO3 and dissolved Ca2+, while Fe cycles between oxidized Fe3+ and reduced Fe2+. Most forms of Fe3+ are insoluble minerals and Fe2+ is soluble. Consequently, the microbial activities involved in the cycling of Fe and Ca are different. Reduction and oxidation of Fe are coupled to respiratory processes that generate energy for growth, while Ca primarily plays a biosynthetic role in the biology of diatoms. The Ca is released from the diatom exoskeleton during mineralization (decomposition) of dead diatoms.
You might also like to view...
Which part of the nephron acts as a countercurrent multiplier?
A. loop of Henle B. proximal convoluted tubule C. distal convoluted tubule D. collecting duct E. All of these structures act as countercurrent multipliers.
Which of the following is expected to reduce competition among individuals?
A. resource partitioning B. the disappearance of a predator from an area C. a shortened mating season D. a decrease in the carrying capacity of an environment E. destruction of habitat space
The transforming principle described by Griffith in his work with Streptococcus pneumoniae is ____
a. a polysaccharide capsule b. a phospholipid c. protein d. RNA e. DNA
Polar bodies
a. are dumping places for excess genetic material. b. have no known biological function. c. are produced by meiosis. d. will serve as the gametes if something happens to the egg. e. all of these are true EXCEPT “will serve as the gametes if something happens to the egg.”