B2c-recycling Flashcards
what happens when animals and plants die?
they decay
the elements in their bodies are recycled
what are decomposers?
they decay dead organisms
eg
soil bacteria and fungi
what happens as animals and plants grow?
they take in chemicals and incorporate elements from these into their bodies
what are the two most important elements required?
carbon
nitrogen
why does recycling nutrients take longer in waterlogged soils?
bacteria and fungi that decompose organic material usually need oxygen to respire and produce energy
waterlogged soils don’t have much oxygen so decomposers have less energy and work more slowly
why does recycling nutrients take longer in acidic soils?
extremes of PH slow down the reproduction of decomposers or kill them outright
what is the role of plants in the carbon cycle?
plants remove carbon dioxide from the air by photosynthesis
what is the role of feeding in the carbon cycle?
feeding passes carbon compounds along a food chain or web
what is the role of plants and animals in the carbon cycle?
plants and animals release carbon dioxide into the air as a product of respiration
what is the role of fossil fuels/combustion in the carbon cycle?
releases carbon dioxide
what is the role of soil bacteria and fungi/decomposers?
releases carbon dioxide into the air
how is carbon recycled in nature?
- marine organisms making shells made of carbonates
- shells become limestone
- carbon returning to the air as carbon dioxide during volcanic eruption or weathering
- oceans absorb carbon dioxide, acting as carbon sinks
how to plants react with nitrogen?
nitrogen is taken up plants by plants as nitrates
why can’t nitrogen be used directly by animals or plants?
it is very unreactive
what is the role of plants in the nitrogen cycle?
plants taking in nitrates from the soil to make protein for growth
