Question

Carbon and nitrogen are two of the key elements that are recycled in the environment. Discuss the importance of these two elements to living organisms and why it is so important that they are part of the decay cycle.

Answer 1

Carbon and nitrogen are vital elements in the environment that are recycled through the carbon and nitrogen cycles. Carbon is crucial for the structure of organic molecules, while nitrogen is necessary for proteins and nucleic acids. The cycles ensure that these elements are readily available for living organisms.

Step-by-step explanation:

Carbon and nitrogen are two key elements that are recycled in the environment through the carbon and nitrogen cycles. Carbon is present in all organic molecules and plays a vital role in the structure of macromolecules. It is the cornerstone of organic compounds necessary for life, and organisms cannot make their own carbon, so it must be recycled from other living organisms and the atmosphere.

Nitrogen is also an essential element for living organisms as it is necessary for creating proteins and nucleic acids like DNA. However, most organisms cannot use nitrogen gas directly from the atmosphere because of its strong triple bond. Therefore, the nitrogen cycle is crucial to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms by organisms. It involves various biological and chemical processes, ensuring a constant supply of nitrogen for living organisms.