Nutrient cycles

Describe the nitrogen cycle

Nitrogen fixing bacteria fixes nitrogen untimed ammonium compounds such as NH3

NH3 dissolves in soil to produce NH4+ ions

Undergo nitrification by nitrifying bacteria into nitrites NO2- then nitrates NO3- which get absorbed into the plant by active transport to be used to make protein

Saprobiotic bacteria decompose dead organic matter like protein /plants/animals into NH3 by extracellular digestion

DenitrifiCation occurs in anaerobic conditions by denitrifying bacteria convert nitrates back into nitrogen

Name the processes

N2 to NH3

No3- to NH3

NO2- to NO3-

NH4+to NO2-

NO3- to N2

Fixation

ammonification

Nitrification

nitrification

Denitrification 

Describe the phosphorus cycle

Phosphate in rocks is released into the soil or bodies of water by weathering /erosion 

Phosphate in soil or water absorbed by plants and used to make biological molecules such as ATP, DNA

Animals/secondary consumers feed on plants and use phosphates to make biological molecules,phosphates lost through waste 

Animals and plants are decomposed by saprobiotic bacteria and phosphates retuned to the soil 

Phosphate in waste products form sedimentary rocks 

Describe the role of saprobiotic bacteria in the nitrogen cycke 

Use enzymes to decompose proteins /dna

Releasing ammonia