Energy Transfer and Decay Flashcards
When an organism dies it will eventually…
decay/decompose
When an organism has decay what happens to the nutrients (carbon compounds) in its body?
They are returned to the soil
Who carries out the process of decay?
Microorganisms (bacteria and fungi)
Detritus feeders
Microorganisms can decay dead organisms in which type of conditions?
- Warm
- Moist
- Aerobic (oxygen rich)
The nutrient rich soil that dead organisms have decayed into is called…
compost
What can we use compost for?
To help plants to grow,
What is a compost bin?
A bin that creates the ideal conditions for decaying dead material into compost.
What are the ideal contions that a compost bin provides for microorganisms to carry out decay quickly?
- Warmth
- Moisture
- Aerobic (oxygen rich)
Making compost is a way of _________ dead material.
recycling
Dead organisms are an example of…
organic waste
What is meant by the word organic waste?
Any waste that contains carbon compounds (something form an organism)
Why are compost bins warm?
Because the microorganisms in them produce some heat when they do respiration
How do compost bins provide lots of oxygen for microorganisms to decay waste?
The bin has holes in its sides.
Why do we add a small amount of soil to a compost bin as well as waste?
Because the soil contains microorganisms which will speed up decay.
Microorganisms do respiraiton whilst they are decaying dead material. What is respiration?
Releasing energy form glucose.
