how are elements cycled back to the start of the food chain by decay Flashcards
1
Q
stage 1
A
living things are made of materials that they take from world around them and pass them up the food chain
2
Q
example of stage 1
A
plants turn elements like carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen from the soil and the air into the complex compounds that make up living organisms (carbohydrates proteins and fats)
3
Q
stage 2
A
these materials returned to environment in waste products or when organisms die and decay
4
Q
stage 3
A
materials decay because they’re broken down (digested) by microorganisms
5
Q
what conditions are microorganisms more active in
A
warm, moist, aerobic conditions
6
Q
stage 4
A
decay puts stuff plants need to grown back into soil (mineral ions)
7
Q
stage 5
A
- in stable community materials taken out of soil and used by plants are balanced by those that put back in
- constantly cycle happening
