Recylcing of Elements in Ecosystems
- Created by: Freya
- Created on: 31-10-12 15:04
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- Recylcing of Elements in Ecosystems
- Carbon Cycle
- Carbon forms the backbone of organic compounds (carbs, lipids, proteins...)
- Carbon is fixed in organic compounds by photosynthesis
- Then released into the atmosphere by respiration
- Any not released in repsiration is trapped in fossil fuels
- Released by combustion
- Carbon Cycle
- Carbon forms the backbone of organic compounds (carbs, lipids, proteins...)
- Carbon is fixed in organic compounds by photosynthesis
- Then released into the atmosphere by respiration
- Any not released in repsiration is trapped in fossil fuels
- Released by combustion
- Any not released in repsiration is trapped in fossil fuels
- Then released into the atmosphere by respiration
- Any not released in repsiration is trapped in fossil fuels
- Then released into the atmosphere by respiration
- Nitrogen Cycle
- Nitrgen is an essential element in proteins, nucleic acid (DNA) and ATP
- 1. Plants absorb nitrogen in the form of nitrates and combine them with carbs to form amino acids etc.
- 2. Nitrogen eventually ends up in non-living material such as dead matter or faeces and urine (urea)
- 3. Nitrogen-rich matter is broken down by decomposers (bacteria and fungi) via extra-cellular digestion. This is saprophytic decay
- 4. The final part of the break down is ammonification. Production of ammonium compounds from amino acids etc
- 5. Ammonium ions used by nitrifying bacteria (chemoautotrophs which obtain there energy from the oxidation of (ammonium) ions). This is Nitrification
- 6. During nitrification ammonuim ions are converted to nitrites then nitrates which can then be absorbed by plants
- The Loss and Gain of Nitrogen from the Atmosphre
- Denitrifying bacteria turn nitrate in nitrogen gas. This is not in a useful form for plant to absorb
- Denitrifying bactera respire anaerobically so thrive in waterlogged soil and other areas of low oxygen conc.
- Nitrogen fixation
- Lightening can split the triple nitrogen bonds changing it to nitrates
- Nitrogen fixing bacteria. Can be free living or mutualistic
- NB if the gene for the nitrogen fixing enzyme can be inserted into other plants it will remove the need for fertilisers
- Denitrifying bacteria turn nitrate in nitrogen gas. This is not in a useful form for plant to absorb
- Carbon Cycle
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