Cycles within ecosystems

Why is carbon important in living organisms

Carbon is essential for building biological molecules like carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, which make up the structure of cells.

How do plants take in carbon

Plants take in carbon from the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide during photosynthesis

What happens to carbon after it is taken in by plants

The carbon is used to make glucose, which can be turned into carbohydrates

How is carbon transferred between organisms

Carbon is passed from plants to herbivores when they feed, and from herbivores to carnivores when they are eaten.

How is carbon released back into the atmosphere

• Respiration in plants- As carbon dioxide

• Decomposition

What happens to carbon in dead organisms under certain conditions

If animals and plants die in conditions without decomposers, the carbon in their bodies can be converted into fossil fuels. These fossil fuels can later be burned to release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through combustion.

Nitrogen fixation

The process by which nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert nitrogen gas (N2) into ammonium compounds, which are then converted into nitrates in the soil.

How is nitrogen transferred between living organisms?

Animals feed on plants and digest plant proteins, providing nitrogen for animal proteins. Nitrogen continues to pass through the food chain as consumers eat other organisms.

How is nitrogen released from living organisms

Nitrogen is returned to the soil in the form of ammonia by decomposers like bacteria and fungi.

Nitrification

The process by which nitrifying bacteria convert ammonia into nitrates, which plants can absorb.

Dentrication

Nitrates in the soil are converted back into nitrogen gas (N2) by denitrifying bacteria

How can farmers reduce denitrification

Farmers can decrease the activity of denitrifying bacteria by ploughing the soil to increase aeration