1.6 Waste Materials From Plants And Animals Flashcards
Why do materials decay?
They are broken down or digested by microorganisms
What is the name for a microorganism that decomposes material?
A decomposer
What optimum conditions do decomposers need to digest materials faster?
Warm temperature Moisture High pH Lots of oxygen for respiration Large surface area
What is a stable community?
The processes that remove the materials are balanced by the processes that return materials
Materials are constantly recycled
How is carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere?
By photosynthesis
How do plants transfer carbon?
They respire the carbon into the atmosphere
When combusted they release the carbon into the atmosphere
When they die the carbon is now dead organic matter
How do animals transfer carbon?
Animals respire the carbon into the atmosphere
They egest waste material which becomes dead organic matter
When they die the carbon is now dead organic matter
What two ways can dead organic matter transfer carbon?
Fossilisation
Decomposition
Through fossilisation what does dead organic matter become?
Oil into Fossil Fuels
How do fossil fuels transfer carbon?
When fossil fuels are combusted they release the carbon into the atmosphere
Through decomposition where does the carbon get transferred to from the dead organic matter?
Decomposers
How do decomposers transfer carbon?
They respire releasing the carbon into the atmosphere
How could you increase co2 levels and temperature at the same time with one act?
Burning fossil fuels does both
Name 2 microorganisms that decompose materials
Bacteria
Fungi
