Question

What do you mean by Nutrient cycle?

Answer 1

• Nutrient cycle is the flow of organic and inorganic elements present in the ecosystem. The organic and inorganic elements flow in a cycle where they are exchanged back into production of matter. Unlike the flow of energy which is unidirectional flow of organic and inorganic matter is not unidirectional rather they are recycled again by passing through various components of an ecosystem. They are of two type- Gaseous and sedimentary. Examples are Carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle which are gaseous cycle. Whereas Sulphur and phosphorus are sedimentary cycles. Above is a picture provides for the carbon cycle. Where the organic carbon is released from the dead and decaying organisms, the air that is released by them while exhaling, the carbon that is emitted from the factories and vehicles, even that released from the water bodies which all goes in the atmosphere. This carbon dioxide released in the atmosphere is utilized by the producers ie the green plants via photosynthesis and is again introduced in the food cycle. In similar manner other cycles also takes place with just different sources where they are released and different sources of absorption.