5.4 Nutrient Cycles

Question 1

after harvesting the remains of crop plants are often ploughed into soil

explain how microorganisms in the soil produce a source of nitrates from these remains.

Answer 1

proteins in soil turned into ammonia by saprobionts

ammonium turned into nitrite and nitrite into nitrate

by nitrifying bacteria

Question 2

Describe how the action of microorganisms in the soil produce a source of nitrates for crop plants

Answer 2

proteins in soil turned into ammonium compounds
by saprobionts

ammonium into nitrite
nitrite into nitrate
by nitrifying bacteria

nitrogen to ammonia
by nitrofying bacteria

Question 3

describe the role of saprobionts in the nutrients cycle

Answer 3

decompose proteins in the soil
and produce ammonium compounds