Nutrient cycles

Question 1

Nitrogen cycle

Answer 1

Nitrogen Fixation- Nitrogen from atmosphere, converted int nitrate from plant root nodules, or nitrifying bacteria in the soil converts into ammonium ions, ammonium ions can be reduced into nitrites and oxygenized into nitrates to be assimilated by the plant during the nitrification stage. Plants can assimilate this nitrate and they use to produce amino acids make ATP ETC… Consumers eat and then when they die, decompose back into soil. Ammonification is when sacrobiants eat this decaying matter, ammonium released back into soil

Question 2

Why do we need Nitrogen?

Answer 2

As 80% of the air is made up of nitrogen, cannot break the strong triple bond.
Helps plants synthesis chlorophyll
Nitrogen in atmosphere also has to be regulated so process helps maintain nitrogen in the air

Question 3

Phosphorus cycle

Answer 3

− phosphorous present in sedimentary rock as phosphate ions (PO43-)
− when sedimentary rock erodes, leaves soil containing PO43-)
− plants absorb PO43-) to make phospholipid/DNA/ATP
− consumers eat plants to obtain phospholipid/DNA/ATP
− organic material (dead plants, dead animals, animal waste) are broken down by saprobiotic decomposers, this releases Phosphate Ions (PO43-) back into the soil
− (if soil sediments and hardens, over time, it returns to a rock state)
− [mycorrhize are fungi in the roots of plants to support uptake of scarce minerals like phosphate ions]