The Cycling of Materials
Biology: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 7.2.11
Recycling Materials
The recycling (using again) of materials is essential as they provide the building blocks for future organisms. Two cycles that are particularly important for living organisms are:
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.
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.
- In order for this cycle to be completed, water has to change state.
Test yourself on The Cycling of Materials
"When organisms die, the matter in their bodies is recycled for other purposes." What does this describe?
Which statement about carbon in living organisms is correct?
Why is carbon recycled when an organism dies?
What would most likely happen to the carbon available to future organisms if carbon was not recycled when living things died?
Why are the carbon cycle and the water cycle described as particularly important for living organisms?