Question

How does phosphorus cycle differ from nitrogen cycle and the carbon cycle?

Answer 1

The movement, recycling and use of the nutrients in an environment is known as nutrient cycle. The nutrients like carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus are needed to be recycled from the atmosphere to the organisms back to the atmosphere for the existence of living organisms.

Complete answer:
The living body is made up of mainly carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and phosphorus. These nutrients are very essential for the physiological process.

Let us discuss some important nutrient cycles.
1)Nitrogen cycle-Nitrogen is the most important nutrient in the atmosphere. It is an important constituent of proteins. Atmosphere contains 78% nitrogen. The nitrogen is needed both by plants and animals. It is recycled which involves nitrogen fixation from the atmosphere to the soil through lightening or by nitrogen fixing bacterium, then nitrification which involves conversion of ammonia to nitrates. These nitrates are incorporated into the biological tissues. The tissues release ammonia through urine or other byproducts. This process is called ammonification. Then denitrification takes place which converts nitrates to free nitrogen.
2)Carbon cycle- Our body is made up of carbon. Any dead matter on decomposition or on burning produces carbon. Atmosphere contains 0.03% of carbon. The carbon enters the atmosphere as carbon dioxide which is released through respiration. This carbon dioxide is utilised by the plants for photosynthesis. The animals consume plants which indirectly transfer the carbon to the animals. The living organisms die and decompose. The carbon is reabsorbed back into the atmosphere.
3)Phosphorous cycle- The phosphorus is not present freely into the atmosphere and the phosphorus cycle is an extremely slow process. It enters the atmosphere through volcanic eruption and precipitates as aerosol to the earth. It enters the food web and dissolves in streams and lakes. It enters the soil through fertilisers.

Note: The importance of phosphate in living cells is required for the synthesis of proteins which is used in various metabolic processes, for growth, repair and maintenance of tissues and cells. It is also important for the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. In animals it is the chief constituent of bones and teeth.