3.5.4.2 phosphorous cycle

what molecules contain phosphorous?

- ATP
- nucleic acids
- phospholipids

what are the reservoirs of phosphorous?

- in sedimentary rocks

- in oceans, lakes, and soil due to weathering rocks

- in guano, bones and shells of dead organisms

what is the phosphorous cycle?

1. weathering of rocks adds phosphate ions to soil

2. plants absorb phosphate ions and incorporated into their biomass

- rate of absorption increased by mycorrihzae

3. phosphate ions transferred through food chain e.g herbivores eat producers

4. some phosphate ions lost from animals in waste products

5. death of organism and decomposition of organic compounds e.g DNA by saprobionts releasing phosphate ions