Answer:
Nutrient cycling; Symbiotic relationships; Production of oxygen.
Step-by-step explanation:
- Prokaryotes play a vital role in nutrient cycling by decomposing dead organic matter and recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. They are involved in the breakdown of complex organic compounds, such as cellulose and lignin, which cannot be broken down by other organisms.
- Prokaryotes are involved in symbiotic relationships with many other organisms. For example, some prokaryotes live in the guts of animals and help break down food, while others live in the roots of plants and help fix nitrogen from the atmosphere. Some prokaryotes are also involved in mutualistic relationships with other organisms, such as lichens.
- Prokaryotes are the primary producers of oxygen on Earth. Photosynthetic prokaryotes, such as cyanobacteria, are responsible for generating a significant portion of the oxygen in our atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis. This oxygen is essential for the survival of many other organisms, including humans.