Transcript
Plants and animals absorb nutrients from gas or soluble salts
Nutrient – a substance (element or compound) that promotes growth and health in living things Oxygen, carbon, hydrogen and
nitrogen are needed in large quantities – these are known as macronutrientsTrace elements such as magnesium, sulphur and phosphorous are called micronutrients
The Nutrient Cycle
the Fuel of LifeNutrient:
The Carbon-Oxygen Cycle is interconnected and involves three major processes and one minor process:
The Carbon Dioxide
and Oxygen Cycle
1.Photosynthesis
2.Respiration3.Combustion4.Decompositi
on
Photosynthesis During this process, plants take in carbon dioxide
(CO2) and absorb water (H2O) with the help of their roots. The chlorophyll present in the leaves and the energy from the sun, helps convert CO2 and H2O into Oxygen O2, sugar and water vapor. Oxygen (O2) is released by the plants as a by-product into the atmosphere.
RespirationRespiration occurs when animals take in oxygen from the air along with simple sugars from their food. This helps in release of carbon dioxide, water and energy from the animal body. During cellular respiration, animals require O2 while inhalation. When they exhale the waste product of cellular respiration, they release CO2 into the atmosphere again.
CombustionIt is a process of burning that occurs naturally in the nature.
For example:volcanic eruptions are natural
combustion processes where carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere due to burning
Decomposition
When an animal or a plant dies, all the carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, water, calcium, etc. return to the soil and air during decomposition.
Certain insects, fungi, and bacteria aid in the decomposition process and are called decomposers.
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