bmic topic 1.2.2: roles of microorganisms in ecology and the environment

how do microorganisms as producers help serve the ecosystem?

convert solar energy into chemical energy and fixing carbon

what are some examples of microbe producers

autotrophs like algae and photosynthetic bacteria

how do microorganisms as consumers help serve the ecosystem?

feed on producers and themselves preyed upon by other consumers

what are some examples of microbe consumers?

all heterotrophs like fungi bacteria and protozoa

how do microorganisms as decomposers help serve the ecosystem?

recycle nutrients and make them available to other life forms or nature’s reservoirs

what are some examples of microbe decomposers?

bacteria and fungi

what do microorganisms do in the environment?

recycle nutrients in the environment

why is microorganisms important in biogeochemical cycles?

making nutrient's such as C and N available to other life forms and return the nutrients to their respective reservoirs

what microorganism are involved in the carbon cycle

fungi and bacteria are involved in decomposition

algae and photosynthetic bacteria are involved in fixing atmospheric CO2

what microorganisms are involved in the nitrogen cycle

almost all the nitrogen fixation that occurs on our plant is carried out by bacteria