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NEET UG 2026 » NEET UG Study Material » Biology » Nutrient Cycle
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Nutrient Cycle

"A nutrient cycle is described as a cyclic pathway through which nutrients transit in order to be recycled and repurposed," according to Wikipedia. Cells, creatures, communities, and ecosystems are all part of the journey."

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Nutrients are absorbed, transported, released, and reabsorbed as a result of this procedure. A natural recycling mechanism for mineral nutrients can be found in the environment. After death and decomposition, foods consumed by plants and animals are reverted to the environment, and the cycle is repeated.In the process of nutrient recycling, soil bacteria play a critical role. They break down organic debris, releasing nutrients as a result of their activities. Their role in capturing and transforming nutrients into the soil so that they can be absorbed by plant roots is also critical.Different biotic, physical, and chemical factors influence the pace at which nutrients cycle through the environment.

Importance of nutrients cycle

Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, and phosphorus are the building blocks of all living beings, biomolecules, and cells. Life is not possible without these ingredients. It is necessary for life to exist that nutrients are recycled and replenished on a constant basis in the environment..

Aspects of nutrient cycling include:

  • In order for nutrients to be freely utilised by different organisms, they must be transformed from one form to another. For example, plants cannot take up atmospheric nitrogen and must be fixed and transferred to ammonium and nitrate before they can be taken up by other organisms.

  • Transfer of nutrients from one location to another in order to be utilised, for example, from air to soil or from water to water.

  • Nutrient cycles help to maintain the balance of the ecosystem and to store nutrients for future use by the organisms.

  • Living creatures interact with the abiotic components of their environment through the process of nutrient cycling.

Nutrients cycle in ecosystem

Both biotic and abiotic components are involved in nutrient recycling. Air, water, and soil are the three primary abiotic components of the ecosystem.

CaCO3, H2O3, N2O, and O2 are recycled in the environment, whereas Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, and other elements are recycled mostly in soil and are readily available in the surrounding environment.

Carbon cycle

Carbon is the most abundant element in all living things, including humans. Carbon can be found in every organic compound and molecule on the planet.

  • Among the various forms of carbon in the atmosphere, the most common are carbon dioxide and methane.

  • The processes of photosynthesis and respiration result in a constant exchange of carbon among biotic and abiotic components.

  • During the process of photosynthesis, plants fix carbon dioxide from the surrounding environment.

  • During the process of respiration, all living creatures emit carbon dioxide.

  • When fossil fuels are burned and automobile emissions are produced, carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere.

  • Following the decomposition of organic carbon derived through dead and decaying organisms including waste products, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere.

Nitrogen cycle

Nitrogen is also a necessary component of life, as previously mentioned. Unlike other elements, nitrogen cannot be utilised directly by living beings and must be transformed to other forms.

  • Nitrifying bacteria break down ammonia to nitrate by the method of nitrogen fixation, which is carried out by nitrogen-fixing bacteria that fix atmospheric nitrogen to ammonium. Later, plants absorb this substance.

  • Lightning directly converts atmospheric nitrogen to nitrates, which are then taken up by plants.

  • Dead and decaying organic matter, as well as waste products, are broken down by decomposers, which break down the proteins and amino acids.

  • Dietary ammonia and nitrates are converted into nitrogen and nitrous oxide by denitrifying bacteria, which are found in soils and aquatic environments. Nitrogen is re-released into the atmosphere in this fashion.

Oxygen cycle

In order to survive, oxygen must be consumed. Organisms that live in or on water are dependent on the oxygen that is dissolved in it. In order for biodegradable waste items to decompose, they require oxygen.

  • When it comes to generating oxygen in the atmosphere, photosynthesis is the most important source.

  • In the process of respiration, living creatures absorb oxygen from the atmosphere and expel carbon dioxide, which is needed by plants for photosynthesis.

Water cycle

Water is required for the survival of all life on the planet.

  • The evaporation process and transpiration from the base of plants converts water from seas, lakes, rivers, and other reservoirs into vapour on a constant basis.

  • Water vapours condense and return to the atmosphere as precipitation, and the cycle continues.

  • Groundwater is formed when water falls on the ground and is absorbed and stored by the ground.

Sedimentary nutrient cycle

Sedimentary cycles are a kind of cycling of nutrients wherein the Earth’s crust serves as a storage tank for the elements.As part of a continuous cycle, phosphorus flows across rocks, groundwater, soil as well as sediments as well as living things like bacteria and algae.

Rocks emit phosphorus ions as well as other elements as a result of precipitation and erosion over a period. It is then dispersed throughout the environment, including soil and groundwater.Soil phosphate is taken up by plants as chemical phosphate. It is possible that animals will obtain the plants after this time period. Phosphorus is absorbed into organic molecules known as DNA once it has entered the plant or animal’s system. Upon death, the plant as well as animal decomposes, and also the organic phosphate is released back into the environment.

Conclusion

The nutrition cycle outlines that nutrients travel from either the physical surroundings into living creatures and are often recirculated into the physical surroundings. Any region’s ecology is dependent on the passage of nutrients, which are required for living, through the ecosystem into animals and plants as well as back again. When it comes to any given habitat, the nutrient cycle should be adequate as well as steady unless the organisms who dwell in that environment are to thrive and sustain a consistent population of themselves. Today, substantial portions of humanity have an impact on the cycling of nutrients in such a way that nutrients are removed from the soil and discharged into aquatic habitats. It can result in soil depletion on the land, as well as an overflow of minerals as well as contamination of water supplies on the other side of the coin.

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Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the NEET UG Examination Preparation.

What is the significance of studying nutrient cycles?

Ans. When nutrients cycle, they can be stored for later use, which is significant because some species only need a t...Read full

What is the nutrient cycle and how does it work?

Ans. A nutrient cycle is a cycle in which a certain nutrient or element travels from the environment via one or even...Read full

When it comes to the ecosystem, what is the function of the nutrient cycle?

Ans. Nutrient cycling is a process in which energy and matter are moved among living creatures and dead organisms el...Read full

What role do humans play in the nutrient cycle?

Ans. According to a new study, humans are overburdening ecosystems with nitrogen as a result of the combustion of fo...Read full

Is it necessary to understand the nitrogen cycle?

Ans. In addition, nitrogen is a vital component for the survival of all species on Earth, making the nitrogen cycle ...Read full

Ans. When nutrients cycle, they can be stored for later use, which is significant because some species only need a tiny amount of each nutrient to survive. During a nutrient cycle, nutrients are retained in their natural reservoirs but are only supplied to living species when the conditions are proper.

Ans. A nutrient cycle is a cycle in which a certain nutrient or element travels from the environment via one or even more species and afterwards returns to the ecosystem. The carbon cycle, the nitrogen cycle, and the phosphorus cycle are only a few examples of how the environment works.

Ans. Nutrient cycling is a process in which energy and matter are moved among living creatures and dead organisms elements in the ecosystem. When plants and animals use nutrients contained in the soil, the nutrients are returned back into the environment through death and decomposition, which is a process known as bio decomposition.

Ans. According to a new study, humans are overburdening ecosystems with nitrogen as a result of the combustion of fossil fuels and the expansion of nitrogen-producing industrial and agricultural activities.

Ans. In addition, nitrogen is a vital component for the survival of all species on Earth, making the nitrogen cycle important. Nitric acid, which is a building block of proteins, and nucleic acids both contain nitrogen as a major component, as well as amino acids are the building blocks of protein.

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