Carbon cycle
The carbon cycle is quite easy when you realise that it consists of only 3 major parts.
Photosynthesis- the only way by which carbon dioxide can be fixed into living things
Respiration- The only way that Living things can turn carbon back into carbon dioxide gas
Combustion- How carbon that is locked up in fuels can be released as carbon dioxide gas
all the other bits in between are just fixed carbon being passed from place to another. e.g. being eaten, decomposing or being turned into fossil fuels.
Photosynthesis- the only way by which carbon dioxide can be fixed into living things
Respiration- The only way that Living things can turn carbon back into carbon dioxide gas
Combustion- How carbon that is locked up in fuels can be released as carbon dioxide gas
all the other bits in between are just fixed carbon being passed from place to another. e.g. being eaten, decomposing or being turned into fossil fuels.
Nitrogen cycle
The nitrogen cycle looks really scary but can be easily broken down into 2 cycles as explained in the video link below. The video is quick so make sure you pause it and watch it several times.
Cycle 1: Nitrogen is fixed from the air in a process called NITROGEN FIXATION by bacteria found in the roots of special plants LEGUMES. This makes NITRATES. These can then be returned to the air by DENITRIFYING BACTERIA which turns them back into nitrogen in the air
Cycle 2: Nitrates are taken up by plants via their roots. the plants use the nitrogen to make protein. The plants get eaten by other animals and the nitrogen in the protein gets passed up the food chain. the plants and animals die or excrete waste (poo and wee). All the waste material gets decomposed by bacteria (decomposers) which turn it into ammonia. Ammonia contains the nitrogen but cant be taken up by the plants. the ammonia is turned firstly into nitrites and then into nitrates by bacteria in the soil. The nitrates are then taken back up by the plants in their roots and the mini cycle starts again.
Cycle 1: Nitrogen is fixed from the air in a process called NITROGEN FIXATION by bacteria found in the roots of special plants LEGUMES. This makes NITRATES. These can then be returned to the air by DENITRIFYING BACTERIA which turns them back into nitrogen in the air
Cycle 2: Nitrates are taken up by plants via their roots. the plants use the nitrogen to make protein. The plants get eaten by other animals and the nitrogen in the protein gets passed up the food chain. the plants and animals die or excrete waste (poo and wee). All the waste material gets decomposed by bacteria (decomposers) which turn it into ammonia. Ammonia contains the nitrogen but cant be taken up by the plants. the ammonia is turned firstly into nitrites and then into nitrates by bacteria in the soil. The nitrates are then taken back up by the plants in their roots and the mini cycle starts again.