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Ecology
Organisation of an ecosystem
How materials are cycled
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Cards (7)
describe how materials cycle through the living and non-living components of an ecosystem
organisms
take in
elements
from their
surroundings
elements converted to
complex
molecules which become
biomass
elements transferred along
food chains
elements returned to environment during
excretion
and
decomposition
of
dead organisms
give 3 molecules which are cycled through ecosystems
oxygen
carbon dioxide
water
describe the carbon cycle
plants fix
CO2
into
organic
molecules during
photosynthesis
organic
carbon-containing molecules are passed onto
organisms
that eat the
plants
CO2
is released back into the
atmosphere
by
respiration
from
animals
and
plants
burning fossil fuels
also releases
CO2
why is the carbon cycle important?
carbon-containing molecules such as
glucose
are important for
living organisms
to
grow
and provide
energy
for
vital
functions within
cells
describe the water cycle
water from lakes and oceans
evaporates
evaporated water
condenses
into
clouds
and returns to earth as
precipitation
water from
precipitation
is useful for life on
land
water then returns to
rivers
and
oceans
through
surface runoff
why is the water cycle important?
living organisms require
water
and the
water
cycle provides organisms on
land
with a
continuous supply
of water
why are microorganisms important for the cycling of materials through an ecosystem?
return
carbon
to the environment by releasing
CO2
through
respiration
while they
decompose
dead matter
decomposition
of dead matter in
soil
returns
mineral ions
to the environment for other
organisms
to use