cycles within ecosystems - carbon cycle

why is the carbon and nitrogen cycle important

- substances like carbon and nitrogen are essential to life on Earth

- these cycles mean that they can be reused over and over again

what types of components of ecosystems do nitrogen and carbon pass through in their cycles and give examples

- both biotic and abiotic components

- this means they pass thru living organisms and things like air, rocks and soil continuously

why is carbon important

it is an important element in the materials that living things are made from

is there an unlimited amount of carbon in the world

no there is a fixed amount of carbon in the world

what is the whole carbon cycle powered by

- photosynthesis

- green plants using the carbon from CO2 in the air to make carbohydrates, proteins and lipids

how are these carbon compounds in plants passed to animals in a food chain/web

animals feed on the plants and each other, which passes carbon compounds in the plant along to animals in a food chain/ web

how do plants and animals release CO2 back into the air (simple explanation)

- respiration

- by dying + decomposing

- by being turned into useful products

how do plants and animals release CO2 back into the air thru dying + decomposition

- when plants and animals decompose, they're broken down by microorganisms (animal poo/waste broken down also)

- decomposers release CO2 thru respiration as they break down material

what are the microorganisms that break down plants and animals known as and why + what are 2 examples of them

- known as decomposers

- bc they release enzymes that catalyse the breakdown of dead material into smaller molecules

- bacteria and fungi are examples

how do plants and animals release CO2 back into the air thru useful products

- useful animal products e.g. fossil fuels and plant products e.g. wood are burned

- this releases CO2

why is the decomposition of materials good for habitats

- habitats can be maintained for organisms that live there

- e.g. nutrients are returned to the soil and waste material (e.g. dead leaves) don't just pile up

what are fossil fuels made of

decayed plant and animal matter