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The Phosphorous Cycle

The Phosphorous Cycle. Section 4.5. The Phosphorous Cycle. Uses of phosphorous by organisms: Phosphorous, like nitrogen and carbon, is an important element needed by organisms. The Phosphorous Cycle. Cell membranes: They are made of a phospholipid bilayer in all cells.

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The Phosphorous Cycle

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  1. The Phosphorous Cycle Section 4.5

  2. The Phosphorous Cycle • Uses of phosphorous by organisms: • Phosphorous, like nitrogen and carbon, is an important element needed by organisms.

  3. The Phosphorous Cycle • Cell membranes: • They are made of a phospholipid bilayer in all cells.

  4. The Phosphorous Cycle • Hard tissues: • Shells, bones and teeth all contain phosphorous.

  5. The Phosphorous Cycle • Nucleic acids: • The “side rails” of DNA and RNA contain phosphorous.

  6. The Phosphorous Cycle • ATP – adenosine triphosphate: • A high energy molecule (produced during cellular respiration). • It stores all energy for living things.

  7. The Phosphorous Cycle • The element phosphorous:

  8. The Phosphorous Cycle • Where do we get phosphorous? • The Earth’s crust: • It’s stored in rocks, • It gets released when rocks weather and erode. • Phosphate (PO4) is released and dissolves in water.

  9. The Phosphorous Cycle • Where do we get phosphorous? • Rivers and runoff • It gets carried from the surface of the land by runoff into rivers and oceans. (runoff/leaching)

  10. The Phosphorous Cycle • Where do we get phosphorous? • Humans • It’s in artificial fertilizers (they contain N, P and K). • It’s in animal manure. • It’s in outflows from sewage plants. • It’s in industrial wastes.

  11. The Phosphorous Cycle • The short phosphorous cycle: • Organisms die and decompose. • Decomposers release phosphates into the soil. • Phosphates dissolve in water. • Producers (plants) take in dissolved phosphates through their roots.

  12. The Phosphorous Cycle • The long phosphorous cycle: • Plants and animals die. • Phosphates in their bodies sink to the ocean floor. • The phosphates become covered in sediment layers. • The layers turn into sedimentary rock. • Geological uplifting exposes the rock to weathering that releases the phosphates into the soil.

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