CYCLES

Photosynthesis

plants take in CO₂ to make food.

Respiration

animals & plants release CO₂.

Decomposition

dead organisms release carbon

Combustion

burning fuel/wood releases CO₂.

Nitrogen fixation

is the process of converting inert atmospheric nitrogen gas (N₂) into reactive nitrogen compounds, such as ammonia (NH₃)

Nitrification

is a two-step microbial process that converts ammonia to nitrite and then to nitrate, a key process in the nitrogen cycle that makes nitrogen available for plant uptake.

Assimilation

is the process where an organism absorbs and converts nutrients or other external resources into its own tissues, cells, and energy for growth, repair, and maintaining life functions. It involves transforming digested food into the specific vitamins, minerals, and complex molecules the body needs, essentially making them part of the living organism.

Ammonification

is the biological process within the nitrogen cycle where decomposers, such as fungi and bacteria, convert organic nitrogen (found in dead organisms and waste) into inorganic ammonia or ammonium (NH₄⁺).

Denitrification

is a microbial process in the nitrogen cycle where nitrates (NO₃⁻) in soil or water are converted into gaseous nitrogen compounds, primarily nitrogen gas (N₂), which then returns to the atmosphere.