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Edexcel Biology Gcse - Natural Cycles and Decomposition Part 2

Biology20 CardsCreated about 1 month ago

This deck covers key concepts related to natural cycles and decomposition, focusing on the carbon and water cycles and their importance in ecosystems.

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How materials are cycled in an ecosystem Decomposing bacteria and fungi

Decomposing bacteria and fungi break down dead organisms. They help recycle minerals and nutrients to the environment, which can then be used by other organisms. As they decompose dead matter, the decomposers also respire and so release carbon dioxide to the environment, contributing to the carbon cycle.
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Key Terms

Term
Definition
How materials are cycled in an ecosystem Decomposing bacteria and fungi
Decomposing bacteria and fungi break down dead organisms. They help recycle minerals and nutrients to the environment, which can then be used by other...
How materials are cycled in an ecosystem biotic and abiotic
Materials cycle through both the non-living abiotic and living biotic factors within the ecosystem.
What is the carbon cycle?
Carbon is passed from the atmosphere, as carbon dioxide, to living things, passed from one organism to the next in complex molecules, and returned to ...
Which cells contain carbon?
All cells - whether animal, plant or bacteria - contain carbon, because they all contain proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Plant cell walls, for examp...
Importance of carbon
Carbon is an essential element for life on Earth and parts of each of the cells in our bodies are made from it. The carbon cycle shows how atoms of th...
Removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
Green plants remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by photosynthesis. The carbon becomes part of complex molecules such as proteins, fats and carb...
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Edexcel Biology Gcse - Natural Cycles and Decomposition Part 2
TermDefinition
How materials are cycled in an ecosystem Decomposing bacteria and fungi
Decomposing bacteria and fungi break down dead organisms. They help recycle minerals and nutrients to the environment, which can then be used by other organisms. As they decompose dead matter, the decomposers also respire and so release carbon dioxide to the environment, contributing to the carbon cycle.
How materials are cycled in an ecosystem biotic and abiotic
Materials cycle through both the non-living abiotic and living biotic factors within the ecosystem.
What is the carbon cycle?
Carbon is passed from the atmosphere, as carbon dioxide, to living things, passed from one organism to the next in complex molecules, and returned to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide again. This is known as the carbon cycle. The carbon cycle shows how atoms of this element can exist within different compounds at different times.
Which cells contain carbon?
All cells - whether animal, plant or bacteria - contain carbon, because they all contain proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Plant cell walls, for example, are made of cellulose - a carbohydrate.
Importance of carbon
Carbon is an essential element for life on Earth and parts of each of the cells in our bodies are made from it. The carbon cycle shows how atoms of this element can exist within different compounds at different times.
Removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
Green plants remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by photosynthesis. The carbon becomes part of complex molecules such as proteins, fats and carbohydrates in the plants.
Returning carbon dioxide to the atmosphere
Organisms return carbon dioxide to the atmosphere by respiration. It is not just animals that respire. Plants and microorganisms do, too. Carbon dioxide is also released by combustion. The burning of fossil fuels releases large quantities into the atmosphere.
Passing carbon from one organism to the next
When an animal eats a plant, carbon from the plant becomes part of the fats and proteins in the animal. Decomposers and some animals, called detrivores, feed on waste material from animals, and the remains of dead animals and plants. The carbon then becomes part of these organisms.
Stage one of the carbon cycle
Carbon enters the atmosphere as carbon dioxide from respiration and combustion.
Stage two of the carbon cycle
Carbon dioxide is absorbed by producers to make carbohydrates in photosynthesis.
Stage three of the carbon cycle
Animals feed on plants, passing the carbon compounds along the food chain. Most carbon they consume is exhaled as carbon dioxide during respiration. The animals and plants eventually die.
Stage four of the carbon cycle
Dead organisms are eaten by decomposers and carbon in their bodies is returned to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. In some conditions decomposition is blocked. The plant and animal material may then be available as fossil fuel in the future for combustion.
Three key processes in the carbon cycle
Photosynthesis Respiration Combustion (burning)
In the process photosynthesis: What does carbon dioxide start as? What does carbon end as?
In the process photosynthesis: Carbon dioxide starts as carbon dioxide Carbon dioxide ends as glucose
In the process Respiration: What does carbon dioxide start as? What does carbon end as?
In the process Respiration: Carbon dioxide starts as glucose Carbon dioxide ends as carbon dioxide
In the process Combustion: What does carbon dioxide start as? What does carbon end as?
In the process Combustion: Carbon dioxide starts as fuel (eg methane or wood) Carbon dioxide ends as carbon dioxide
Purpose of the water cycle
Water is a key compound for life on Earth. All living organisms need water. Some can survive in a dormant state without it for long periods of time, but all organisms will eventually die without it.
Process pf the water cycle
Water is constantly recycled. Energy from the Sun evaporates water from the land and sea forming water vapour. This rises up into clouds and then cools, condenses and falls as rain onto the ground. The water then drains into the sea and the water cycle starts again.
Key processes in the water cycle
Evaporation Condensation Transport Precipitation Surface runoff Infiltration Transpiration
What happens to water in the key process of the water cycle: | Evaporation
Water turns from a liquid to a gas when it evaporates. Energy from the Sun can evaporate water from all places on the Earth's surface such as puddles, ponds, lakes and oceans.