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Consider the following nutrient cycles:
1. Nitrogen cycle
2. Sulfur cycle
3. Carbon cycle
4. Phosphorus cycle
How many of the above are gaseous nutrient cycles?
  • a)
    Only one
  • b)
    Only two
  • c)
    Only three
  • d)
    All four
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
Consider the following nutrient cycles:1. Nitrogen cycle2. Sulfur cycl...
  • The movement of nutrient elements through the various components of an ecosystem is called nutrient cycling. Another name for nutrient cycling is biogeochemical cycles (bio: living organism, geo: rocks, air, water). Nutrient cycles are of two types: (a) gaseous and (b) sedimentary.
  • The reservoir for the gaseous type of nutrient cycle (e.g., nitrogen, carbon cycle) exists in the atmosphere and for the sedimentary cycle (e.g., sulphur and phosphorus cycle), the reservoir is located in Earth’s crust. Environmental factors, e.g., soil, moisture, pH, temperature, etc., regulate the rate of release of nutrients into the atmosphere. The function of the reservoir is to meet the deficit which occurs due to an imbalance in the rate of influx and efflux. Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.
  • Carbon Cycle: Carbon enters the living world in the form of carbon dioxide through the process of photosynthesis as carbohydrates. These organic compounds (food) are then passed from the producers to the consumers (herbivores & carnivores). This carbon is finally returned to the surrounding medium by the process of respiration or decomposition of plants and animals by the decomposers.
  • Nitrogen Cycle: Nitrogen is present in the atmosphere in an elemental form and as such it cannot be utilized by living organisms. This elemental form of nitrogen is converted into a combined state with elements such as H, C, and O by certain bacteria so that it can be readily used by plants. Nitrogen is continuously expelled into the air by the action of microorganisms such as denitrifying bacteria and finally returned to the cycle through the action of lightening and electrification.
  • Sulphur Cycle: Sulphur occurs in all living matter as a component of certain amino acids. It is abundant in the soil in proteins and, through a series of microbial transformations, ends up as sulphates usable by plants. Sulphur-containing proteins are degraded into their constituent amino acids by the action of a variety of soil organisms. The sulphur of the amino acids is converted to hydrogen sulphide (H2S) by another series of soil microbes. In the presence of oxygen, H2S is converted to sulphur and then to sulphate by sulphur bacteria. Eventually, the sulphate becomes H2S.
  • Phosphorus cycle: Phosphorus is a major constituent of biological membranes, nucleic acids and cellular energy transfer systems. Many animals also need large quantities of this element to make shells, bones and teeth. The natural reservoir of phosphorus is rock, which contains phosphorus in the form of phosphates. When rocks are weathered, minute amounts of these phosphates dissolve in soil solution and are absorbed by the roots of the plants. Herbivores and other animals obtain this element from plants. The waste products and the dead organisms are decomposed by phosphate-solubilising bacteria releasing phosphorus. Unlike the carbon cycle, there is no respiratory release of phosphorus into the atmosphere.
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Community Answer
Consider the following nutrient cycles:1. Nitrogen cycle2. Sulfur cycl...
Explanation:
Nitrogen cycle, sulfur cycle, carbon cycle, and phosphorus cycle are essential processes that involve the movement of nutrients through the environment, but only two of them are gaseous nutrient cycles.

Nitrogen Cycle:
- The nitrogen cycle involves the conversion of nitrogen gas (N2) into various forms that can be used by plants and animals.
- It includes processes such as nitrogen fixation, nitrification, denitrification, and ammonification.
- Nitrogen gas (N2) is a major component of the atmosphere and plays a crucial role in the nitrogen cycle.

Sulfur Cycle:
- The sulfur cycle involves the movement of sulfur through various reservoirs such as the atmosphere, soil, and living organisms.
- Sulfur can exist in both organic and inorganic forms, and its cycle includes processes like weathering, mineralization, and volatilization.
- Gaseous sulfur compounds like hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) are important components of the sulfur cycle.

Carbon Cycle:
- The carbon cycle involves the movement of carbon through the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and geosphere.
- It includes processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and combustion.
- While carbon exists in gaseous form as carbon dioxide (CO2), the carbon cycle is not primarily a gaseous nutrient cycle.

Phosphorus Cycle:
- The phosphorus cycle involves the movement of phosphorus through rocks, soil, water, and living organisms.
- Phosphorus is primarily found in the form of phosphate ions (PO4^3-) and is essential for processes like DNA synthesis and energy transfer.
- Unlike nitrogen and sulfur, phosphorus does not have a gaseous phase in its cycle.
Therefore, out of the four nutrient cycles mentioned, only the nitrogen cycle and sulfur cycle are gaseous nutrient cycles.
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Consider the following nutrient cycles:1. Nitrogen cycle2. Sulfur cycle3. Carbon cycle4. Phosphorus cycleHow many of the above are gaseous nutrient cycles?a)Only oneb)Only twoc)Only threed)All fourCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
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