Nutrient Cycling In Nature

(a) Complete the table below by naming the nutrient cycle that involves each of the given processes and give three other processes involved in the nutrient cycle.

(b)(i) What is irritability?
(ii) Complete the table below by stating the type of response elicited by each of the given actions.

(c) Name three animals each that exhibit: (i) territoriality (ii) seasonal migration (iii) display

Answer Details

(a)

(b)

(i) Irritability is the ability of an organism to respond to stimuli in its environment.

(c)

(i) Territoriality is the behavior of an animal defending a specific area or territory from others of its species. Examples of animals that exhibit territoriality include lions, who mark their territory with scent markings, and birds, who defend their nesting sites from other birds.

(ii) Seasonal migration is the movement of animals from one region to another in response to changes in the environment, such as changes in temperature or availability of food. Examples of animals that exhibit seasonal migration include wildebeests, who migrate in search of food and water, and monarch butterflies, who migrate to warmer climates during the winter.

(iii) Display is a behavior in which animals use visual, auditory, or other cues to communicate with members of their own species. Examples of animals that exhibit display include peacocks, who display their colorful feathers to attract mates, and fireflies, who use flashes of light to communicate with other fireflies.

Which processes are involved in nutrient cycling in a functioning ecosystem?

Answer Details

Nutrient cycling is a vital process in a functioning ecosystem because it ensures that nutrients, such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, are continuously recycled and available for organisms to use. There are several processes involved in nutrient cycling: 1. Decomposition: When plants and animals die, their organic matter is broken down by decomposers like bacteria and fungi. These decomposers release nutrients back into the soil or water as they break down the organic matter. This process is called decomposition. 2. Nitrogen fixation: Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plants, but most plants cannot use nitrogen in its atmospheric form. Nitrogen fixation is the process by which certain bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can absorb and use. This conversion makes nitrogen available in the ecosystem. 3. Denitrification: Denitrification is the opposite of nitrogen fixation. Some bacteria convert nitrogen compounds back into atmospheric nitrogen, releasing it into the air. This process helps to maintain a balance of nitrogen in the ecosystem. 4. Ammonification: Ammonification is the conversion of organic nitrogen compounds into ammonia by bacteria and fungi. This ammonia can then be converted into another form, such as nitrate, through nitrification. 5. Respiration: Respiration is the process by which organisms, including plants and animals, release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as a byproduct of cellular respiration. This carbon dioxide is taken up by plants during photosynthesis. 6. Photosynthesis: Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce glucose (a form of stored energy) and oxygen. This process is essential for capturing energy from the sun and producing food for other organisms. 7. Transpiration: Transpiration is the process by which plants release water vapor into the atmosphere through their leaves. This process helps to maintain the water cycle and influences the distribution of water in the ecosystem. In summary, nutrient cycling involves processes such as decomposition, nitrogen fixation, denitrification, ammonification, respiration, photosynthesis, and transpiration. These processes work together to ensure that nutrients are continuously recycled and available for organisms in a functioning ecosystem.