What are the similarities and differences between the carbon cycle and nitrogen cycle?
1 Answer
May 23, 2017
Please see explanation below.
Explanation:
Carbon Cycle:
- There are many important processes in the carbon cycle that primarily relate to photosynthesis, decomposition, and deposition.
#CO_2# is absorbed by various plants and vegetation and converted into carbohydrates via photosynthesis.- Carbon travels through the food chain and eventually makes its way into the atmosphere via cellular respiration, burning of fossil fuels, or decay of organisms.
- Carbon travels from the ground to the atmosphere
- Fixation of carbon is carried out by living organism including plants and animals.
Nitrogen Cycle:
- Has the processes of mineralization, nitrification, and denitrification.
- Nitrogen fixation occurs from converting Nitrogen gas (
#N_2# ) into ammonia (#NH_3# ). - Nitrogen is sent to the ground.
- The nitrogen cycle takes place in Earth's various "spheres" (geosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere).
- All stages of the nitrogen cycle are carried out by various microorganisms.
Both:
- Both are biogeochemical cycles that release their respective element into the atmosphere.
- The carbon and nitrogen cycles work together and can often be referred to as the CNO cycle.
- Both start as a gas and end as a gas.