Nutrient cycles

What the syllabus asks of you

• Describe the carbon cycle, limited to: photosynthesis, respiration, feeding, decomposition, formation of fossil fuels and combustion
• Describe the nitrogen cycle with reference to: • decomposition of plant and animal protein to ammonium ions • nitrification • nitrogen fixation by lightning and bacteria • absorption of nitrate ions by plants • production of amino acids and proteins • feeding and digestion of proteins • deamination • denitrification
• State the roles of microorganisms in the nitrogen cycle, limited to: decomposition, nitrification, nitrogen fixation and denitrification (generic names of individual bacteria, e.g. Rhizobium, are not required)