Due: Monday, October 20 by midnight.
Points: 5
Grading scheme: There are three parts to this question.
You will get 2 points for the list of critical observations you make. More observations aren't better. You need to make a few, relevant and useful observations that relate to the question.
You will get 2 points for describing how the whole system works together.
You will get 1 point for a good overall evaluation of how well the information you provided answered the question.
A simple ecosystem can recycle elements between plants, animals, dead material and nutrients in the soil. Decomposition is a very important part of this recycling. This process depends on the variety of microorganisms and their metabolic rate in the soil.
| This diagram could represent the flow of nitrogen from nitrogen in organic matter in plants (proteins, pigments), being eaten by animals and eventually ending up as organic matter in the soil (as dead plants, dead animals or excretion products). These organic compounds are degraded to inorganic N (as nitrate or ammonium) which can then be taken up by plants. |  |