Decay and nutrient cycling, Biology

Assignment Help:

Decay and Nutrient Cycling

Soil organisms are the chief agents of decay of organic matter. Decomposition and mineralisation of organic matter results in release of inorganic nutrients which can be absorbed by roots to sustain plant growth. In soil, the decomposers, that include a vast variety of bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi act on the organic matter. These organisms bring about the hydrolysis and oxidation of organic compounds through their enzymes. Complex organic compounds are broken down into simpler compounds until at last, carbon, hydrogen and oxygen are finally released as carbon dioxide and water. Other nutrients contained in the organic matter are released in inorganic form. You might recall that the conversion of nutrients present in the organic matter into inorganic form is termed as mineralisation. The whole process is as follows. Organisms like the fungi, ants, beetles, mites, slugs and snails, sometimes invade fragments of litter even before they fall on the ground. In subsequent transformations, each type of organic substance (carbohydrates, proteins and fats) as well as each stage in the breakdown of these substances, has its own specific set of saprophytes which act upon the organic material so that decay progresses by stages. For example, proteins are broken down successively into amino acids, ammonium salts, nitrites and nitrates, each step being the result of action of a different organism or group of organisms. Therefore, the process of decomposition consists of several overlapping cycles. As a result of decomposition of organic matter humus is formed. which is quite resistant to further alteration. You have already studied it earlier.


Related Discussions:- Decay and nutrient cycling

Zoonoses disease-plague, Plague Plague is an acute and highly fatal di...

Plague Plague is an acute and highly fatal disease caused by Yersinia pestis and transmitted by the bite of infected rat fleas. It is primarily a disease of rodents and small

Define disadvantages of using bacteria as source of protein, Define Disadva...

Define Disadvantages of using Bacteria as a source of protein? Disadvantages of using Bacteria as a source of protein are as follow: a) If the bacterial strain is very small

When should eat a salad with lettuce, When you eat a salad with lettuce, cr...

When you eat a salad with lettuce, croutons, hard-boiled egg, bacon bits, and salad dressing, which one of those ingredients will be broken down the least by your digestive system?

26 The human impact on the environment, 4 Put the following events in the m...

4 Put the following events in the most probable order. (a) Predatory birds poisoned by insecticide. (b) Trees sprayed with insecticide. (c) Earthworms eat leaves which f

What is the coelom, What is the coelom? To which structures do coeloms give...

What is the coelom? To which structures do coeloms give birth? Are all animals coelomate? Coeloms are cavities delimited by mesoderm. Coeloms create the cavities where the inte

Collection of blood, Collection of Blood It is a procedure done rout...

Collection of Blood It is a procedure done routinely for diagnosis. It can be done in various ways. 1) Capillary Sampling  The heel is the most useful area i

Tertiary prevention -community mental health programme, Tertiary Prevention...

Tertiary Prevention: In tertiary prevention, emphasis is placed on reducing disability resulting from illness. Tertiary prevention often means long term care. Disability may r

Coronary flow limiting stenoses, Coronary Vasoconstriction 1) Coronary f...

Coronary Vasoconstriction 1) Coronary flow limiting stenoses are caused by concentric or eccentric artherosclerotic plaques, with or without potential for local vasomotor change

Name the final stage of cell division, During final stage of cell division,...

During final stage of cell division, mitotic apparatus disappears, chromosomes become attenuated, centrioles duplicate and split, nuclear membrane becomes reconstituted and nucleol

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd