4c Cycles within Ecosystems Flashcards
(11 cards)
1
Q
What elements are in carbohydrates?
A
hydrogen, carbon, oxygen
2
Q
What elements are in protein?
A
hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon, oxygen
3
Q
What elements are in lipids?
A
carbon, hydrogen, oxygen
4
Q
What are Fossil Fuels?
A
Oil and coal are these, they release carbon when burnt
5
Q
What is a cycle?
A
This has no beginning or end, it keeps going
6
Q
What is combustion?
A
Burning of carbon - releases carbon dioxide
7
Q
Why are nitrates important?
A
- Nitrates are important because they are a form of nitrogen that plants can absorb. Nitrogen is used to make protein, and is passed from plants to animals along food chains
8
Q
What are decomposers?
A
- Decomposers release ammonium compounds from waste (such as urine) and dead matter. Nitrifying bacteria then convert the ammonium compounds into nitrates
9
Q
What plants do not rely on nitrifying bacteria?
A
Legumes, such as clover and peas
10
Q
What do nitrogen fixing bacteria do?
A
- Nitrogen fixing bacteria living in the root modules of legumes convert nitrogen gas into nitrates, improving the fertility of poor-quality soils
11
Q
What do denitrifying bacteria do?
A
- In some conditions denitrifying bacteria in the soil break down nitrates and return nitrogen to the air
- This is usually in waterlogged soil. Improving drainage reduces this effect making the soil more fertile
