In this blog post, we will talk about the natural recycling in I/GCSE Biology. Let's get started! 🐶

In I/GCSE Biology, it is important to know the nutrients in human body!

• Tissues in body made up of elements
• Elements called nutrients – needed for growth ➡️ lack would affect health + growth

• Photosynthesis – plants make carbohydrates ➡️ contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen
• Plant to grow well ➡️ nutrients

1. nitrogen (for proteins + DNA)
2. magnesium (makes chlorophyll)
3. calcium (strong cell walls)

• absorb nutrients when taking water from ground
• removes nutrients from environment + animals get food
• nutrients not available for plants until there returned to soil ➡️ plants / animals die / animal produces waste material
• Decay of dead + waste material releases nutrients back to environment

In I/GCSE Biology, it is crucial of memorizing what decay is!!!!

Decay – the breakdown of dead plants and animal material by fungi, bacteria and other organisms

• Decay ➡️ rotting / digestion of complex organic substances to simpler one e.g. bacteria
•  Digestion happens outside cell of microorganism – simpler nutrients absorbed ➡️ gives microorganism nutrients needed for growth
• Simpler nutrients left in soil – plants absorbed using roots
• Enzymes secreted by fungus digest complex chemicals
• Some products of digestion left to environment
• Some products from digestion absorbed by fungus

• Decay microorganism ➡️ dry out (don’t have thick protective coating)
• Grow below surface of material their decaying
• Microorganisms more active when more oxygen to respire ➡️ cannot live far beneath surface
• Rate of reactions in cells of microorganism affected by temperature
• Colder ➡️ cannot grow quickly – decay warmer + faster in warm / moist conditions

• Look at this summary!!!
• The key factors involved in decay are: Temperature, Amount of oxygen, Amount of water, The presence of microorganisms
• Microorganisms are important in decay - used to break down human waste (sewage) and plant waste (compost)
• Decay recycles important nutrients for plant growth
• Best conditions for most microorganisms (and therefore decay) are:
  • Warm – speeds up chemical reactions
  • Moist – easier to dissolve food; prevents microbes from dying out
  • Oxygen – many need it to respire

References:

1. "Chemical Composition of the Human Body"
   https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/OPnTAwZg_8xKwnlh95_rsKScy-I=/4836x2720/smart/filters:no_upscale()/human-body-infographics-465321784-57ab54755f9b58974a07fa9f.jpg
2. "Morphology of fungi", https://image.slidesharecdn.com/morphologyoffungi-170226153026/95/morphology-of-fungi-6-638.jpg?cb=1488123043
3. "Pin on Trees", https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b4/f8/67/b4f8677173def324da235b6dfe3399de.jpg

And we're done with this topic! Well Done!

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Drafted by Alyssa (Biology)