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

Explain enfuvirtide, Explain Enfuvirtide Enfuvirtide is the first fusio...

Explain Enfuvirtide Enfuvirtide is the first fusion inhibitor approved by the FDA for treatment of HIV infection and is indicated for treatment-experienced patients with ongoin

Define economically important fermentation products, Normal 0 f...

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

Agro-industrial by-products-non-conventional feed resources, Non-Convention...

Non-Conventional Feed Resources There are many non-traditional or non-conventional materials which are available in abundance and can form potential source of feedstuffs for f

Explain biochemical or physiological risk factors, Explain Biochemical or P...

Explain Biochemical or Physiological Risk Factors ? The biochemical or physiological risk factors are those abnormalities, some of which are metabolic in nature, which give ris

How mathematics and statistics related to biology, How mathematics and stat...

How mathematics and statistics related to Biology? This report emphasizes the benefits that the fields of mathematics and statistics can bring to biology, but there are recipro

Assignment, protoplasmic level of oganisation

protoplasmic level of oganisation

Conservation of animal genetic resources, The term farm animal genetic reso...

The term farm animal genetic resources (AnGR) is used to include all animal species, breeds and strains (and their wild relatives) that are of economic, scientific and cultural int

What are the functional properties of gums, What are the functional propert...

What are the functional properties of gums that are considered to be important in food industries? The functional properties of gums that  are considered to be important in foo

Class hirudinea - classification of coelom, Class Hirudinea - Classificatio...

Class Hirudinea - Classification of Coelom These are leeches. Number of body segments of these types of animals is fixed; usually there are 34 segments in a few groups there m

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