Transcript
Phosphorus Cycle
Phosphorus Cycle• Cyclic movement of phosphorus in different
chemical forms from the environment to organisms and then back to the environment
• Phosphorus NEVER enters the atmosphere!• Very slow cycle
Why is it important?• Used in bones, teeth, nucleic acids (DNA),
phospholipids, and cell membranes
How do plants and animals get phosphorus?
• Plants: obtain phosphorus from water and soil
• Animals: obtain phosphorus from eating plants or other animals
How does phosphorus get into the soil?
• Erosion: wearing away of rock
• Weathering: chemical breakdown of rock due to precipitation
How does phosphorus get into the soil?
• Waste– Urine and feces
• Decay