The Nutrient Cycle

Nutrient – a substance (element or compound)

that promotes growth and health in living things
 Oxygen, carbon, hydrogen and
nitrogen are needed in large
quantities – these are known as
macronutrients
Trace elements such as magnesium,
sulphur and phosphorous are called
micronutrients
Plants and animals absorb
nutrients from gas or soluble
salts

Nutrient: the Fuel of Life

The Carbon-Oxygen Cycle is interconnected
and involves three major processes and one
minor process:
1.Photosynthesis
2.Respiration
3.Combustion
4.Decomposition
Photosynthesi
s During this process, plants take in carbon dioxide (CO2) and
absorb water (H2O) with the help of their roots. The
chlorophyll present in the leaves and the energy from the
sun, helps convert CO2 and H2O into Oxygen O2, sugar
and water vapor. Oxygen (O2) is released by the plants as a
by-product into the atmosphere.
Respiration
Respiration occurs when animals take in oxygen from the
air along with simple sugars from their food.
This helps in release of carbon dioxide, water and energy
from the animal body. During cellular respiration, animals
require O2 while inhalation. When they exhale the waste
product of cellular respiration, they release CO2 into the
atmosphere again.
Combustion
It is a process of burning that occurs
naturally in the nature.

For example:
volcanic eruptions are natural combustion
processes where carbon dioxide is
released into the atmosphere due to
burning
Decomposition
When an animal or a plant dies, all the
carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, water,
calcium, etc. return to the soil and air
during decomposition.
Certain insects, fungi, and bacteria aid
in the decomposition process and are
called decomposers.
Putting it all
together…

Photosynthes
is
Putting it all
together…

Respiration
Putting it all
together…

Combustio
Putting it all
together…

Decompositio