5.1.17

Recycling Materials

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Recycling Materials

In a stable community or ecosystem, the processes that remove materials or nutrients from the community are balanced by the processes that return those nutrients, creating continuous cycles:

The carbon cycle

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.
    • When decomposers process decaying matter, they respire, releasing carbon dioxide back into the air.
The nitrogen cycle

The nitrogen cycle

  • Nitrogen is present in all living organisms.
  • It moves through food chains and is recycled when organisms die.
  • Decomposers are also responsible for recycling nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates back into the community from dead organisms.
Jump to other topics
1

The Nature & Variety of Living Organisms

2

Structure & Functions in Living Organisms

3

Organism Functions

3.1

Respiration

3.2

Gas Exchange

3.3

Transport

3.4

Excretion

3.5

Coordination & Response

4

Reproduction & Inheritance

5

Ecology

6

Biological Resources

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