Question

Study the given flow chart and select the correct statements regarding this.
(i) It represents phosphorus cycling in a terrestrial ecosystem.
(ii) It represents phosphorus cycling in an aquatic ecosystem.
(iii) Natural reservoir of phosphorus is phosphate rocks.
(iv) There is no respiratory release of phosphorus into atmosphere.
(v) Gaseous exchange of phosphorus between organisms and environment occurs to a considerable extent.

• A. (i), (ii) and (v)
• B. (i), (iii) and (iv)
• C. (ii), (iii) and (iv)
• D. (i), (iii), (iv) and (v)

Answer 1

The correct option is B (i), (iii) and (iv)

The flow chart represents phosphorus cycling in a terrestrial ecosystem because phosphorus cycle is a sedimentary cycle and its reservoir pool is lithosphere. Rocks are the natural reservoir of phosphorus, in the form of insoluble ferric and calcium phosphate. When rocks are weathered, minute amounts of these phosphates dissolve in soil solution and these inorganic phosphates $(P{O}_4^{3-},HP{O}_4^{2-},$ or $H_{2}P{O}_4)$ are absorbed by plants from the soil and water bodies and eventually pass into animals through food chains. There is no respiratory release of phosphorus. Gaseous exchange of phosphorus between organisms and environment are negligible.