Chapter 2.3, Problem 2MI

Summary Introduction

To define:

Cycle and give one example of a cycle.

Introduction:

A constant supply of usable energy for the biosphere is needed to support the functions of an ecosystem. For the continuous supply, the nutrients are passed from producers (green plants) to consumers. Decomposers return the nutrients to the cycle at every level.

Explanation of Solution

The cycling of nutrients in the biosphere involves both matters inliving organisms and physical processes found in the environment suchas weathering. Since cycling of matter involves living organisms (bio), geological processes (geo) and chemical processes (chemical), the cycle is called a biogeochemical cycle.

Therefore, the cycle can be defined as “a series of events that occur in a regular repeating pattern”. The examples of biogeochemical cycles are carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, oxygen cycle.

Conclusion

The exchangeof matter through the biosphere is called the biogeochemical cycle. In these cycles, the nutrients are passed from producers (green plants) to consumers. Decomposers return the nutrients to the cycle at every level.