Transcript Problems and profit with waste

Problems and profit with waste
Lesson 2
Micro-organisms and decay
Decomposers
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When an animal or plant
dies, the chemicals
present in their bodies
need to be released back
into the ecosystem
This happens by the
action of decomposers
Decomposers
Nutrient recycling
Consumers
Sunlight
die
animals
eaten
Producers
die
Green plants
Bacteria and fungi
Soil minerals
Water
And salts
Decomposers
And humus
decay
The nitrogen cycle
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Nitrogen from the air is
converted to nitrates by
nitrogen fixing bacteria.
Some of these bacteria live
in root nodules on clover
and in pea and bean
plants. The roots of the
plant take in nitrates and
use them to make plant
protein.
The nitrogen cycle
The nitrogen cycle
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The animals then eat the green plant to
get nitrogen to make animal proteins
When the animal or plant dies, nitrates
are added to the soil when they decay
The nitrates are changed to nitrogen
gas through the action of denitrifying
bacteria
More about the nitrogen cycle
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Bacteria bring about the decomposition
of dead bodies and waste releasing
compounds containing ammonium into
the soil.
Bacteria convert these ammonium
compounds into nitrites
More bacteria then convert them to
nitrates which can be used by plants
Quiz – into jotters
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Name one of 3 micro-organisms which can
carry out decomposition of tissues.
Why do we need decomposers?
What kind of micro-organism is found in root
nodules of plants?
Why do micro-organisms carry out decay..
What’s in it for them?
Name a chemical which is recycled from dead
animals and plants.