Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Secondary Integrated Science Practice test

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Prepare for the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Secondary Integrated Science exam. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations to succeed in your certification.

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What happens to phosphorus after it is eaten by animals?

It is lost in the atmosphere
It returns to soil through urine and decay
It is converted into glucose
It is stored in animal bones

The correct answer is: It returns to soil through urine and decay

When animals consume phosphorus, they incorporate it into their biological processes, including the formation of DNA, RNA, and ATP, which are essential for their growth and energy transfer. After the animals metabolize phosphorus, a significant portion is excreted through urine. Additionally, when animals die or decompose, their body tissues, which contain phosphorus, break down. This leads to the release of phosphorus back into the soil, where it can be utilized by plants, thus completing a crucial part of the phosphorus cycle in ecosystems. This cyclical process illustrates the importance of phosphorus in the environment as it moves between abiotic (soil) and biotic (plants and animals) components.