19.3.1

Importance of Cycling

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Recycling Materials

The recycling (using again) of materials is essential as they provide the building blocks for future organisms. Three cycles that are particularly important for living organisms are:

Illustrative background for The carbon cycleIllustrative background for The carbon cycle ?? "content

The carbon cycle

  • Carbon is present in all living organisms.
  • When organisms die, the carbon is recycled so that it can be used by future generations.
Illustrative background for The water cycleIllustrative background for The water cycle ?? "content

The water cycle

  • This cycle describes how water moves on, above or just below the surface of our planet between different locations, such as rivers, oceans and the atmosphere.
  • For this cycle to be completed, water has to change state.
Illustrative background for The nitrogen cycleIllustrative background for The nitrogen cycle ?? "content

The nitrogen cycle

  • Nitrogen is present in all living organisms.
  • It moves through food chains and is recycled when organisms die.

Jump to other topics

1Classification of Living Organisms

2Organisation of the Organism

3Movement Into & Out of Cells

4Biological Molecules

5Enzymes

6Plant Nutrition

7Human Nutrition

8Transport in Plants

9Transport in Animals

10Diseases & Immunity

11Gas Exchange in Humans

12Respiration

13Excretion in Humans

14Coordination & Response

15Drugs

16Reproduction

17Inheritance

18Variation & Selection

19Organisms & Their Environment

20Human Influence on Ecosystems

21Biotechnology & Genetic Modification

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