PDF chapter test TRY NOW
The biosphere is the part of Earth where life exists.
1. Biotic or the living factors- The living communities include animals, plants, bacteria, fungi, and microbes.
2. Abiotic or non-living factors- The non-living components includes temperature, pressure, soil, light, water, and air. These factors affect the ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in the biosphere.
Components of biosphere
There is a continuous interaction between the biotic and abiotic components in the biosphere. The living things in the biosphere are interdependent on the non-living factors for survival. Abiotic factors affect the ability of an organism to survive and reproduce.
An example of interaction between biotic and abiotic factors includes abiotic interaction in the plants. Water, sunlight, and carbon dioxide are required for the growth and to create food using photosynthesis. At the same time, the biotic component helps in the formation of abiotic factors like soil. This makes the biosphere a dynamic, sustainable, and stable system.
What is a biogeochemical cycle?
The cyclic flow of nutrients between the living and non-living factors of the environment is called bio-geo-chemical cycles.
They are critical to the existence of life, transforming energy into usable forms to support the functioning of ecosystems. Biogeochemical cycles play a vital role in the survival of organisms, including humans.
Some of the important biogeochemical cycles include:
1. Water cycle
2. Nitrogen cycle
3. Carbon cycle
The importance of biogeochemical cycles:
1. Explains the transformation of matter from one form to another form and how the planet conserves matter and energy.
2. Facilitates the storage of elements.
3. Helps in the functioning of the biosphere.
4. Connect the biosphere's different components - the living or the biotic component with the non-living or the abiotic component of the biosphere.
5. Regulates the flow of substances through the cycles.
Register for free to see more content