Cycling of Materials

• What are the two main parts of an ecosystem through which materials are cycled?

  Abiotic and biotic parts
• How do organisms obtain materials?

  Through photosynthesis and soil absorption
• What happens to materials when organisms die?

  They decay and are broken down by microorganisms
• What is the role of decay in the ecosystem?

  It puts mineral ions back into the soil
• What are the main processes involved in the water cycle?

  • Evaporation
  • Condensation
  • Precipitation
• What does precipitation provide for plants and animals on land?

  Fresh water
• What are the key components of the carbon cycle?

  • CO₂ in the air
  • Photosynthesis
  • Respiration
  • Carbon compounds in plants
  • Eating by animals
  • Death and waste
  • Fossil fuels
  • Decay by microorganisms
• What do plants use CO₂ for in the carbon cycle?

  Photosynthesis
• What do animals obtain from eating plants?

  Carbon compounds
• What happens to carbon compounds when organisms die?

  They decay and are broken down by microorganisms
• What are fossil fuels in the context of the carbon cycle?

  Carbon compounds formed from ancient organisms
• How do microorganisms contribute to the carbon cycle?

  By decaying carbon compounds in the soil