cycles Flashcards
carbon cycle…
-plants use co2 to make carbs, lipids and proteins
-eating passes the carbon compounds to animals
-respiration releases co2 back into air
-plants and animals decompose
-broken down by microorganisms (bacteria)
-release ezymes which catalyse breakdown of dead material into smaller molecules
-decomposers releases c02 back in air by respiration
what is nitrogen needed for?
-making proteins for growth
how to plants get there nitrogen?
-through the soil
what is nitrogen fixation?
-process of turning nitrogen from air into nitrogen compounds in soil
how can nitrogen fixation happen?
- lightning. bolt of energy in lightening can make nitrogen react with oxygen in air to give nitrates
- nitrogen-fixing bacteria in soil and roots of plants
4 diff types of bacteria involved in nitrogen cycle
-decomposers
-nitrifying bacteria
-nitrogen-fixing bacteria
-denitrifying bacteria
what do decomposers do?
break down proteins and turn into ammonia
what is carbon monoxide?
-poisonous gas
-combines with haemoglobin and prevents them carrying 02
how is acid rain caused?
-sulfur dioxide mixes with rain clouds it forms dilute sulphuric acid
-falls as acid rain
acid rain effects…
-cause lake to become acidic
-kill trees
-damage leaves
3 greenhouse gases?
-water vapour
-co2
-methane
example of fertilisers (2)
-nitrates
-phosphates
what happens if u use to much fertiliser?
-add extra nutrient
-cause algae to grow fast and block light
-plants cant photosynthesis
-organisms that need oxygen die
(known as eutrophication)
deforestation effects…
-soil erosion
-leaching
-disturbing co2 and 02 balance
pro’s of using glasshouse for plants? (4)
-pests stay away
-farmer can control water supply
-artifical light
-trap suns heat
