Nutrient Cycle
The chemical nutrients that are essential for the synthesis of living matter are taken from the physical environment. After the death and decomposition of living organisms, they are returned to the environment to be used over and again. This cyclic back and forth regenerative movement of chemical elements between organisms and their physical environment is known as the biogeochemical cycle or nutrient cycle. Since these elements serve as the essential chemical nutrients of organisms, their cyclic movements are also called nutrient cycling or mineral cycling. Minerals are not uniformly distributed all over the ecosystems but are more concentrated in specific compartments, called pools. The major biogeochemical cycles include the water cycle, nitrogen cycle, carbon cycle, phosphorus cycle, calcium cycle, sulfur cycle, etc.
Biosphere
The geologist Eduard Sues coined the term biosphere. The biosphere is characterized as a part of the earth, which includes ground and air. Moreover, the organisms on earth live in the biosphere. The biosphere is a confined area on the earth's surface where water, soil, and air combine to promote life. Several different types of life exist here.
![**Title:** Describe Photosynthesis in Chemical Terms
**Content:**
Photosynthesis is the biochemical process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy, usually from the sun, into chemical energy stored in glucose. This process occurs mainly in the chloroplasts of plant cells.
In chemical terms, photosynthesis can be represented by the following equation:
\[ 6CO_2 + 6H_2O + light \ energy \rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2 \]
Here's a breakdown of the process:
1. **Light Absorption:** Chlorophyll molecules in the chloroplasts absorb sunlight.
2. **Water Splitting (Photolysis):** Water molecules (\(H_2O\)) are split into oxygen (\(O_2\)), protons, and electrons using the energy from sunlight.
3. **Carbon Fixation:** Carbon dioxide (\(CO_2\)) from the atmosphere is captured and, along with protons and electrons, used to synthesize glucose (\(C_6H_{12}O_6\)).
4. **Oxygen Release:** Oxygen produced during photolysis is released into the atmosphere as a byproduct.
The ultimate goal of photosynthesis is to convert solar energy into a stable form that can be used by the plant for growth and other vital functions, and it also plays a vital role in regulating atmospheric oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2F9b4ae63f-3a82-4188-ac54-87516a5f2017%2F12096699-043b-4299-a435-bf5d763c9129%2Finps6a_processed.png&w=3840&q=75)
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