What is the cycling of matter?

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Since the beginning of our planet is constantly occur various processes of energy transfer between living organisms and the environment.She converted, transferred into other forms, bound and again dissipated.The same can be said of any substance that forms the basis of life.Each of them takes a lot of instances, undergoes multiple changes, and eventually returned.

These processes give an idea of ​​what the cycle of substances in nature.They allow you to trace the movement of not only the joints, but also the individual elements.We will try to find out more in this issue.

general concept of circulation of substances

What is the cycling of matter?This cyclic transitions from one form to another, accompanied by a partial loss or dissipation, but with a permanent, sustainable.That is, any substance or item goes through a series of transitions in stages, with the transformed and changed, but in the end still comes back to the initial shape.

Naturally, with the passage of time may be some loss in the amount of the subject compound or element.However, the general scheme is constant and lasts for thousands of years.

What is the cycling of matter, can be considered as an example.The simplest of them - is the transformation of organic matter.Initially, all of them consist multicellular creatures.After the completion of their life cycle of their bodies decompose specific organisms and organic compounds into inorganic.When these compounds are absorbed by the other creatures inside their body once again restored to the organic form.The process is repeated cyclically and continues all the time.

scheme of circulation of substances in nature makes it clear that nothing comes out of nowhere and disappear into nowhere.Everything has a beginning, end and intermediate forms.These are the basic rules of life.They are also subject to energy.Consider the examples of changes that occur in ecosystems, living beings.And we look at what is the cycling of matter, based on a specific item.

living matter in nature

most important matter of the biosphere - the living.What it is?It is a representative nature.Together they form the biomass.It is, of course, undergoes changes, is a party to all of the processes occurring in the environment.

cycle of living matter can be illustrated by the following example of the kind.

  1. first creation, which directly capture energy from sunlight and convert it into chemical energy - are plants, blue-green bacteria.This happens due to the pigment chlorophyll in photosynthesis.Result - synthesis of organic matter from inorganic components.Thus was formed the first link among the living matter of the biosphere.
  2. Next are animals that can be fed directly to the plants.As well as omnivores, which include people as well.They use the first link and convert the organic matter within themselves in another form - inorganics.
  3. herbivorous creatures are exposed by eating carnivores.Since the substance is already transferred to other organisms.
  4. Next come those organisms that are able to feed carnivorous forms.Top predators.They - the final link in the organic circulation.After they die in the course of entering the following organisms.
  5. detritophages - bacteria, fungi, protozoa, which are decomposed remains of dead creatures and translate all the material in the inorganic form.
  6. These compounds (carbon dioxide, water and mineral salts) are used again in the process of creating plants organic compounds.

Thus, the present scheme of circulation of substances in nature reflects the transformation of the living component of the biosphere.Everything begins and ends with a plant of the same.Full cyclic process that has a lot of branches and complex scrollwork.

circulation of substances in the ecosystem

Any ecosystem - it's a whole community of organisms, combined with each other complex relationships in food terms, but also influenced by similar environmental conditions.

circulation of substances in the ecosystem is subject to certain environmental laws.So, be sure to strict subordination of power circuits.The exchange of energy, materials, circulation of many elements - it all happens between individuals within a given environmental group.

Thus they are divided into several groups:

  • producers;
  • consuments first order;
  • consuments second order;
  • consuments third order;
  • omnivorous organisms;
  • decomposers and detritus.

Driving cycle of matter might look like this:

  • plant (producer) provides the organic matter;
  • herbivores (first order consum- er) converts it into inorganic and other organic matter;
  • carnivore (consum- er second order) converts to other organics;
  • higher predator (consum- er third order) is again partially dissipates it as heat and partly in the form of concentrates internal organic substances;
  • microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and other (or detritus decomposers), the dead animal remains decomposed and formed a mass of inorganic compounds;
  • plants absorb inorganics and then create the process of photosynthesis number of important organic compounds, that is produced.

Substances ecosystem

Obviously, in one ecosystem closely located two main types of substances: organic and inorganic.Because it is organic:

  • proteins;
  • fats;
  • carbohydrates.

inorganic compounds as follows:

  • water;
  • carbon dioxide;
  • mineral salts;
  • number of important macronutrients.

very important condition for the normal functioning of any ecosystem is a constant flow of solar energy.After all, plants can photosynthesize only under this condition.Furthermore, the energy that is in the chemical bonds of the compounds is dissipated as heat in large enough quantities.Therefore, the substance can not circulate in the same condition without a loss.

scheme of circulation of substances in the meadow

Meadow - a special natural communities.After all, he has some differences from all others, such as forestry.What are these differences?

  1. the meadow dominated by only herbal vegetation consisting of perennial and annual grasses low.However, they differ among themselves.A more light-loving have a high growth, and those that can live in the shadows, low.
  2. Within this community, there are no large wildlife.This is due to the fact that they simply have nowhere to hide, because there are no trees.
  3. periodically during heavy rains the entire space is filled with water meadows.This and their other name - flood or bulk.In such circumstances, there may not all living beings.

If we talk about the similarities of meadow and forest, for example, the community, we should highlight the main feature: in both territories inhabited by representatives of plants, insects, rodents, birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals.

Scheme circulation of substances on the meadow can be as follows:

  • minerals and water that is consumed directly from the land of the plant;
  • insects that pollinate flowers and allow them to proliferate, while eating nectar that is produced by the plant in organic matter;
  • birds and mammals, feeding on insects and plants, that is, who use the organic matter;
  • microorganisms that decompose dead plants and animals and release inorganic substances (mineral salts, water, carbon dioxide).

example meadow cycle

important are all the links indicated in the example.Circulation of substances in the meadow - a necessary condition for the existence of this community.The soil is able to be enriched with nutrients and elements only through the activities of its inhabitants - detritophages microorganisms, worms, woodlice and other creatures.Without this condition, the plants will lack inorganics for photosynthesis and growth, and thus will be in short supply, and the organic matter they produce.Such as starch, cellulose, protein, and others.This will reduce the number of animals and birds, and thus the organic matter in general.Suffer as a result and detritus, so the cycle be broken.

Circulation of substances can be illustrated in a meadow and a specific example.Let's try to make such a scheme.

  • mineral salts, water, carbon dioxide, oxygen consuming chamomile.
  • honeybee pollinates designated plants and eats its pollen, ie carbohydrates and proteins.
  • Bee and honey buzzard peck honeybees and consume the organic substance of her body (chitin, protein, carbohydrates).
  • Meadow voles and other small rodents and larger species feed on the organic component of plants and insects.
  • Kestrel (bird) eats rodents and consume nutrients.
  • After the death of all the animals and insects fall to the ground where their body is decomposed into its constituent compounds activity of microorganisms, worms, woodlice and other detritus feeders.
  • As a result, the soil again saturated with inorganic salts, water, and other compounds that are absorbed by the roots of plants.

circuits and power supply

cycle of matter and energy, as has become clear, is closely linked with the environmental concept as a chain or supply network.For any substance - a material, a product that serves as a building material for the formation of structural parts of cells, tissues and organs.

Each food chain inevitably entails cyclical transformation of substances.And any process of synthesis and decay require costs or release energy.Consequently, it is also involved in a single cycle in nature.

Why is there the concept of "chain" and "supply chain"?The fact is that the relationship between organisms within a single environmental group is often much more complex than just a normal ordinary circuit.After all, the same representative of the animal world may be herbivores, and predators.There are omnivorous organisms.In addition, many create a competitive environment for the production and sustenance, which also affects the relationships within the overall plan biogeocoenose.

Here in these cases the chain are closely intertwined and formed the so-called power supply.This is particularly evident in the inhabitants of the populous areas: forest, lake communities, tropical forests, and other.

All of the food chain can be divided into two types:

  • grazing or pasture;
  • decomposition or detrital.

main difference between them is that in the former case, it all starts with the living organism - plant.In the second - with the dead remains, excrement and other deposits, which are processed by microorganisms, worms and so on.

energy change

Energy as a substance undergoes a number of changes in the course of processes in ecosystems.All of it is divided into two main types:

  • sunlight;
  • chemical bonds.

During the construction of the energy supply chain is just converted from one form to another.This occurs in part to its loss.After all, it is spent on life processes each being dissipated as heat.That is why it is important to solar energy as a primary source constantly replenish stocks of any community.

directly in the form of light from the Sun, it can consume only those organisms are:

  • plants;
  • bacteria;
  • photosynthetic unicellular.

After them all the energy goes into the form - the chemical bonds of compounds.In this form it consumes heterotrophic representatives of the biosphere.

water cycle

We have already indicated that the most important and historically vital process - a cycle of substances in nature.Water is the inorganic compound, the value of which is particularly important and big.Therefore, the way it happens circulation, consider in general terms.

  1. huge amount of water is concentrated on the surface of our planet in the reservoirs of all kinds.It is the seas and oceans, wetlands, rivers, lakes, streams, artificial structures.On the surface there is a constant evaporation of moisture, i.e. water in vapor form enters the atmosphere.
  2. soil as its outer and inner part, also contains a lot of moisture.This groundwater or groundwater.From the surface vapor enters the atmosphere, with the inner layers flows into the reservoirs, and then evaporated.
  3. condensing in the atmosphere, the water gradually reaches a maximum and begins to return to the earth as rain.In winter it is snowing in the summer - rain.
  4. Plants are actively involved in the absorption and transpiration of water as sneaked through a huge amount of it.

Thus, the water cycle and the cycle of matter in nature ensure the normal state of any ecosystem, and hence the organisms.

study of the cycle of matter in the primary school

that children have an idea of ​​what changes are cyclical in nature, to tell them about it should be even with the initial stages of learning.The boys must have knowledge of what the cycle of matter.Grade 3 - very appropriate time.During this period the children are old enough to fully understand and assimilate the information of this kind.

in many educational programs for the outside world is represented by a good scheme, "Circulation of substances. Class 3".It reflects the basic types of transformations of water, substance, food chains, which are characteristic of each ecosystem.

approximate scheme of circulation of substances for younger students may take the form of: water and minerals in plants - organic material in animal - water and mineral salts after the death of plants and animals.

Each stage should be explained with examples and detailed description for the formation of a clear understanding of the natural processes taking place.