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Edexcel Biology Gcse - Natural Cycles and Decomposition Part 1

Biology20 CardsCreated about 1 month ago

This deck covers key definitions and concepts related to natural cycles and decomposition, including biogas, crop rotation, and the nitrogen cycle, among others.

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boigas definition

A type of biofuel (methane) derived from the action of bacteria on animal manure or other organic waste.
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Key Terms

Term
Definition
boigas definition
A type of biofuel (methane) derived from the action of bacteria on animal manure or other organic waste.
crop rotation definition
When fields are used to grow the same crop in alternate years. This helps to maintain soil fertility.
decompose definition
If a substance decomposes, it breaks down into simpler compounds or elements.
decomposer definition
An organism which eats dead organisms, fallen leaves, animal droppings, etc, and breaks them down into simpler materials.
decomposition definition
The process of breaking down material to release nutrients back into the soil.
desalination definition
The removal of salt from water. This is an energy-intensive process. Also known as desalinisation.
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Edexcel Biology Gcse - Natural Cycles and Decomposition Part 1
TermDefinition
boigas definition
A type of biofuel (methane) derived from the action of bacteria on animal manure or other organic waste.
crop rotation definition
When fields are used to grow the same crop in alternate years. This helps to maintain soil fertility.
decompose definition
If a substance decomposes, it breaks down into simpler compounds or elements.
decomposer definition
An organism which eats dead organisms, fallen leaves, animal droppings, etc, and breaks them down into simpler materials.
decomposition definition
The process of breaking down material to release nutrients back into the soil.
desalination definition
The removal of salt from water. This is an energy-intensive process. Also known as desalinisation.
detrivores definition
Animals that obtain nutrients by consuming detritus (decomposing plant and animal tissue as well as waste e.g. faeces).
distillation definition
A separation technique which involves a solution being heated so that the solvent evaporates before being cooled to form a pure liquid.
drought definition
A long period of low rainfall that creates a major shortage of water.
eutrophication definition
‘Hyper-nutrition’ resulting from fertiliser pollution of aquatic ecosystems.
indicator species definition
The presence, abundance or absence of these organisms provides information such as the level of pollution in the environment.
nitrate definition
The chemical absorbed from the soil by plants to produce their protein.
nitrifying bacteria definition
The bacteria that produce nitrate which is released into soil.
nitrogen cycle definition
The sequence of events or processes involved in the recycling of nitrogen in the environment.
nitrogen-fixing bacteria definition
The bacteria found free-living in the soil or in the root nodules of some plants such as peas and clover that convert nitrogen gas into nitrate.
potable definition
Safe to drink.
water cycle definition
The continuous movement of water on, above and below the Earth.
Peat bog definition
Peat bogs are poorly drained areas made up of partially decomposed organic matter due to waterlogging.
How materials are cycled in an ecosystem atoms Carbon and water
Atoms exist in different forms or compounds at different times in history and cycle between them. This cycling can be seen in the element carbon and the compound water.
How materials are cycled in an ecosystem Living organisms
Other elements and compounds also exist in cycles. Elements pass along food chains when animals eat plants and other animals. Many humans eat protein in the form of meat from other animals. The body breaks this down into amino acids and then uses these to make proteins within the body for growth and repair. When someone dies these building blocks are returned to the environment to be used by other living organisms.