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Carbon Cycle Study Guide

Ecology

Learn about the biosphere, ecosystems, habitats, populations, and communities with our interactive 3D model and study guides.

Water Cycle Study Guide

Trophic Levels Study Guide

 Predation Study Guide

Biomes and Climate Study Guide

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## Introduction:
The earth is packed with so many __[natural resources](https://www.inspiritvr.com/general-bio/ecology/resources-soil-and-water-study-guide "natural resources")__, and these are things we interact with, directly or indirectly, every day.
Natural resources are objects or materials naturally present on the earth and are used by people. 
These natural things can be further classified into two types:  __renewable and nonrenewable resources__.

It is easy to classify all natural things on earth as renewable and nonrenewable resources once you know exactly what they are. If you ask yourself, “is coal a renewable resource?”, read on and find out why it isn’t and which resource is renewable and nonrenewable! You will also be able to define renewable and nonrenewable resources with examples clearly.

### What are Renewable Resources?

![resources](//images.ctfassets.net/4yflszkpcwkt/4FXJtBTFZxhQrMrHtgo8vW/c5797d1487600e660de099ada1882115/diagram-resources.png)
[Source](https://learn.weatherstem.com/modules/learn/lessons/1/07.html)

- Renewable resources are resources that cannot be exhausted even after years of constant utilization. In simple words, these are resources that can never run out and always grow.

- A common example of renewable resources that we interact with every day are trees! Even if you cut them down and utilize them, they can still regrow from sprouts and __[seeds](https://www.inspiritvr.com/general-bio/plants/seed-plants-study-guide "seeds")__. They are also considered one of the most useful renewable resources because we use them to create around 8000 different products.

- Other common examples of renewable resources are __[water](https://www.inspiritvr.com/general-bio/introduction-to-biology/water-and-life-study-guide "water")__ and air. Though they do not grow like trees, they always exist and are in their cycle at least in one form. 

- Therefore, renewable resources are essential things that are important for the existence of most living creatures on earth.

### What are Non-Renewable Resources?

![nonrenewable-resources](//images.ctfassets.net/4yflszkpcwkt/50rB83thCemChl2P7jX14x/04440a45db58557e250987cd78cf9dfa/nonrenewable-resources-clipart.jpg)
[Source](https://classroomclipart.com/clipart-view/Clipart/Environment/nonrenewable-resources-clipart_jpg.htm)

- Resources that cannot be replaced immediately after consumption are known as non-renewable resources. 
- Constant consumption leads to depletion of the materials. 
- These resources are mostly found on the <span id="app-select-1"></span>, present in fixed amounts.
- They do not renew very easily and might take millions of years to be formed and replaced.

The best examples of non-renewable resources are the fossil fuels (like coal, natural gas, and oil) that are burned for energy. <span id="app-select-2"></span> are also non-renewable resources.

<div class="sketchfab-embed-wrapper"> <iframe title="Coal" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; xr-spatial-tracking" xr-spatial-tracking execution-while-out-of-viewport execution-while-not-rendered web-share width="640" height="480" src="https://sketchfab.com/models/63a64175ffa8469a9b6109e22ea961f3/embed?autostart=1&camera=0&ui_animations=0&ui_infos=0&ui_stop=0&ui_inspector=0&ui_watermark_link=0&ui_watermark=0&ui_ar=0&ui_help=0&ui_settings=0&ui_vr=0&ui_fullscreen=0&ui_annotations=0"> </iframe> </div>

### Differences Between Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources
A few major differences in renewable and nonrenewable resources based on certain parameters are listed down below.

__1. Depletion__

- Renewable resources will not be depleted after constant usage over time.
- Non-renewable resources, unlike renewable resources, deplete over time.

__2. Sources__

- Sources of renewable resources include water, sunlight, wind, and other sources like fumaroles and hot springs.
- Sources for non-renewable resources include various minerals and fossil fuels like petroleum and coal.

__3. Cost__

- The upfront cost for energy harvested from renewable resources is relatively high. For example, the technology used to generate electricity from a renewable resource like the wind is costlier than those used to create electricity from fossil fuels.
- The upfront cost for non-renewable energy is relatively low.

__4. Environmental Impact__

- Renewable resources mostly emit very low carbon and have a low carbon footprint.
- Carbon emissions and carbon footprint are higher for non-renewable energy.

__5. Area Requirements__

- Renewable energy resources usually require a huge area, especially solar and wind farms.
- Non-renewable energy sources require a relatively low area for their technology.

__6. Infrastructure Requirements__

- Renewable energy sources require costlier infrastructure, and these are not easily accessible in many parts of the world.
- Non-renewable energy sources are cost-effective and are easily available in most parts of the world.

__Popular renewable energy sources__

Energy generated from renewable resources is called renewable energy sources, which means that energy is sustainable. Some of the most popular renewable energy sources are:
- <span id="app-select-3"></span>
- Hydro energy
- Wind energy
- Tidal energy
- Biomass energy
- Geothermal energy

__Popular non-renewable energy sources__

Non-renewable energy sources generate energy from resources that deplete quickly over time. Some of the most common non-renewable energy examples are:
- Coal
- Petroleum
- Uranium

![Difference-Between-Renewable-and-Nonrenewable-Resources](//images.ctfassets.net/4yflszkpcwkt/64EqGVHvmy0LJR4gZWegAu/c5660d0526aeb2a8a45c71ca56ed4a9f/Difference-Between-Renewable-and-Nonrenewable-Resources-Tabular-Form.jpg)
[Source](https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-renewable-and-vs-nonrenewable-resources/)

## Conclusion:
- <span id="app-select-4"></span> are resourced that would not exhaust even after continuously using them. 
- However, resources that are not immediately replaced after usage and can be depleted with constant consumption are known as nonrenewable resources.
- The major difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources is that renewable can never be depleted while non-renewable deplete over time.
- In the future, the usage of renewable energy is expected to rise because renewable resources have lesser carbon emissions, long term benefits, and these are infinitely available.

### FAQs:

__1. What are 5 renewable and non-renewable resources?__

The five renewable resources are:
- Sunlight
- Groundwater
- Wind
- Soil
- Grass
The five non-renewable resources are:
- Oil
- Coal
- Aluminum
- Phosphates
- Steel

__2. What are renewable resources and non-renewable resources with examples?__

- Resources that will not be exhausted even if continuously used are known as renewable resources. Popular examples of renewable resources are wind, tidal, and solar energy.
- Non-renewable resources are the ones that will be depleted when used continuously over a long period. Examples: coal, natural gas, petroleum, and many rare minerals are non-renewable resources.

__3. Are biofuels renewable?__

Biofuels are renewable over 35 years for biofuels based on resources on forest residues and over one year or less for those based on animal wastes, crops, and their residues.

__4. What is a non-renewable resource?__

Non-renewable resources definition: Natural substances that cannot be replenished with the consumption rate are known as non-renewable resources. This means that the availability of these resources will decrease throughout constant usage, making their supply very limited.

*We hope you enjoyed studying this lesson and learned something cool about the __Resources - Renewable and Non-renewable__! Join our Discord community to get any questions you may have answered and to engage with other students just like you! Don't forget to download our App to experience our fun, VR classrooms - we promise, it makes studying much more fun!* 😎

## Sources:
1. 10 Examples of Non Renewable Resources. [https://www.energywarden.com/10-examples-of-non-renewable-resources/](https://www.energywarden.com/10-examples-of-non-renewable-resources/). Accessed 1 Dec, 2021. 
2. Non-renewable energy. [https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/non-renewable-energy/](https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/non-renewable-energy/). Accessed 1 Dec, 2021. 
3. Renewable Resources. [https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/renewable-resources/](https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/renewable-resources/). Accessed 1 Dec, 2021. 
4. What are some renewable resources? Examples of alternative energy. [https://news.energysage.com/examples-of-renewable-resources-and-alternative-energy/](https://news.energysage.com/examples-of-renewable-resources-and-alternative-energy/). Accessed 1 Dec, 2021. 
5. Resources. [https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-biology-flexbook-2.0/section/6.27/primary/lesson/renewable-and-nonrenewable-resources-bio/](https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-biology-flexbook-2.0/section/6.27/primary/lesson/renewable-and-nonrenewable-resources-bio/). Accessed 1 Dec, 2021. 
6. Different Examples of Nonrenewable Resources. [https://homeguides.sfgate.com/different-examples-nonrenewable-resources-79616.html](https://homeguides.sfgate.com/different-examples-nonrenewable-resources-79616.html). Accessed 1 Dec, 2021. 
7. Types of renewable energy. [https://www.edfenergy.com/for-home/energywise/renewable-energy-sources](https://www.edfenergy.com/for-home/energywise/renewable-energy-sources). Accessed 1 Dec, 2021. 

Resources- Renewable and Non-renewable Study Guide

## Introduction:

Approximately 78% of the earth’s atmosphere is covered by nitrogen gas. However, this complete amount is not available for use by biological processes. 

<div class="sketchfab-embed-wrapper"> <iframe title="Con Cu3D Earth" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; xr-spatial-tracking" xr-spatial-tracking execution-while-out-of-viewport execution-while-not-rendered web-share width="640" height="480" src="https://sketchfab.com/models/6e5b4234d58b4f1ca4dbc31c4f0c822b/embed?autostart=1&camera=0&ui_animations=0&ui_infos=0&ui_stop=0&ui_inspector=0&ui_watermark_link=0&ui_watermark=0&ui_ar=0&ui_help=0&ui_settings=0&ui_vr=0&ui_fullscreen=0&ui_annotations=0"> </iframe> </div>

Nitrogen is needed to build the most vital macromolecule of life - __[proteins](https://www.inspiritvr.com/general-bio/introduction-to-biology/proteins-study-guide "proteins")__ and __[nucleic acids](https://www.inspiritvr.com/ap-bio/chemistry-of-life/nucleic-acids-study-guide "nucleic acids")__. 

It gives structure and support to living beings by being components of proteins and <span id="q1"></span>. 

<div class="sketchfab-embed-wrapper"> <iframe title="ConCu3D_RNA_Nucleotide" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; xr-spatial-tracking" xr-spatial-tracking execution-while-out-of-viewport execution-while-not-rendered web-share width="640" height="480" src="https://sketchfab.com/models/4622275ad3734c96964b3825c7480484/embed?autostart=1&camera=0&ui_animations=0&ui_infos=0&ui_stop=0&ui_inspector=0&ui_watermark_link=0&ui_watermark=0&ui_ar=0&ui_help=0&ui_settings=0&ui_vr=0&ui_fullscreen=0&ui_annotations=0"> </iframe> </div>

Animals get nitrogen through the plant and animal diet they consume. Plants require nitrogen gas for their growth and <span id="q2"></span>. Plants tap into CO2 and light energy to form energy resources. Likewise, plants also tap into the nitrogen gas in the atmosphere to make it part of the life processes. 

<div class="sketchfab-embed-wrapper"> <iframe title="Con Cu3D Photosynthesis" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; xr-spatial-tracking" xr-spatial-tracking execution-while-out-of-viewport execution-while-not-rendered web-share width="640" height="480" src="https://sketchfab.com/models/693b67325b5f4cf88e4bc102c003e768/embed?autostart=1&camera=0&ui_animations=0&ui_infos=0&ui_stop=0&ui_inspector=0&ui_watermark_link=0&ui_watermark=0&ui_ar=0&ui_help=0&ui_settings=0&ui_vr=0&ui_fullscreen=0&ui_annotations=0"> </iframe> </div>

### Nitrogen Cycle

Let us look at the basic components that define the nitrogen cycle.

- The nitrogen cycle fixes the nitrogen from the atmosphere into the soil for use by plants and animals. 
- They are then <span id="q3"></span> upon their death and released into the soil to release nitrogen gas into the atmosphere. 
- The cycle is a continuous process. Both aerobic and anaerobc processes occur in the soil, plants, and animals and back in the soil to the atmosphere. 
- In short, the nitrogen element is transferred and exchanged continuously between the living and non-living things, which are the atmosphere, soil, __[bacteria](https://www.inspiritvr.com/general-bio/prokaryotes-and-viruses/bacteria-structure-and-classification-study-guide "bacteria")__, water, plants, animals, and <span id="q4"></span>.

<div class="sketchfab-embed-wrapper"> <iframe title="Nitrogencycle" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; xr-spatial-tracking" xr-spatial-tracking execution-while-out-of-viewport execution-while-not-rendered web-share width="640" height="480" src="https://sketchfab.com/models/fb67bf910965473b8466e91d4e6e01be/embed?autostart=1&camera=0&ui_animations=0&ui_infos=0&ui_stop=0&ui_inspector=0&ui_watermark_link=0&ui_watermark=0&ui_ar=0&ui_help=0&ui_settings=0&ui_vr=0&ui_fullscreen=0&ui_annotations=0"> </iframe> </div>

### What is the Nitrogen Cycle?

A simple nitrogen cycle consists of five steps that are of biological importance.

__- Nitrogen fixation:__ 

The fixation of atmospheric nitrogen to the soil and the plants. 
    - Nitrogen fixation can be a physical, chemical, or biological process, of which biological process is of great significance. Cyanobacteria and other bacteria fix nitrogen in the soil and the root zone environment. 
    - A group of bacteria called Rhizobium lives in the roots of bacteria in specialized structures called nodules which fix the nitrogen directly to the plants. 
    - Nitrogenase is the enzyme involved in the process of nitrogen fixation. This process does not require oxygen and occurs in an anaerobic environment. 

__- Nitrification:__ 

The process of conversion of reduced nitrogen compounds (mainly ammonia) to nitrate and nitrite 
    - Nitrification is an oxygen-requiring process occurring in the soil mediated by soil bacteria Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter.

__- Assimilation:__ 

The process of incorporation of nitrates and ammonia into the tissues of the plants and animals as components of protein and nucleic acids

__- Ammonification:__ 

The process of conversion of organic nitrogen to ammonia

__- Denitrification:__ 

The process of reducing ammonia to nitrogen gas released back into the atmosphere
    -Denitrification is also an <span id="q5"></span> process in the soil converting nitrate to nitrogen gas. This is the soil checkpoint for nitrogen loss back to the atmosphere as nitrogen gas.

![Nitrogen cycle](//images.ctfassets.net/4yflszkpcwkt/2YpvqqYaTMNbzchh7zer7y/f400d24baf1758e945f299547cb03263/NitrogenCycleDiagram_l.png)
[Source](https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/diagram-nitrogen-cycle)

## Conclusion:

- The nitrogen cycle helps make the nitrogen available to the plants, which is the common limiting nutrient in nature and agriculture. 
- It is supplied as fertilizer because what is available in the soil is not enough to meet the needs for plant growth in agricultural lands. 
- Plants lacking nitrogen supply turn yellowish and have smaller flowers and fruits, thereby reducing the total yield. 
- However, boosting the nitrogen cycle is important in these soils and can aid in nitrogen fixation by reducing the need to add fertilizers. 
- When excess organic nitrogen runs off into the water resources, it boosts the growth of organic forms; especially aquatic flora called eutrophication, which makes the water toxic for use and life. 

### FAQs:

__1. What are the 5 stages of the nitrogen cycle?__

The five stages of the nitrogen cycle are nitrogen fixation, nitrification, assimilation, ammonification, and denitrification.

__2. How do you explain the nitrogen cycle?__

The nitrogen cycle is the process of converting the atmospheric nitrogen to be used for plants in the soil by the process of nitrogen fixation and nitrification, which are assimilated into plants and animals, brought back to the soil as organic nitrogenous products through the process of ammonification, and then converted back to nitrogen gas to be released into the atmosphere through the process of denitrification.

__3. What are the 7 steps of the nitrogen cycle?__

The seven steps of the nitrogen cycle are nitrogen fixation, assimilation, ammonification, nitrification, denitrification, dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonia, anaerobic ammonia oxidation, and other processes. 

__4. What is the function of the nitrogen cycle?__

The nitrogen cycle is the biogeochemical cycle. The atmospheric free nitrogen molecules are converted into inorganic and organic forms of nitrogen products fixed into the plants and animals as part of the macromolecular compounds like proteins and nucleic acids. 

__5. What is the order of the nitrogen cycle?__

The order of the nitrogen cycle is nitrogen fixation, assimilation, ammonification, nitrification, and denitrification. 

__6. What is the first step in the nitrogen cycle?__

The first step in the nitrogen cycle is nitrogen fixation carried out in the soil in the absence of oxygen by soil bacteria and cyanobacteria.

__7. What are biological nitrogen fixers?__

The biological nitrogen fixers are nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria, rhizobium bacteria, blue-green algae, and lightning. 

*We hope you enjoyed studying this lesson and learned something cool about the __Nitrogen Cycle!__ Join our Discord community to get any questions you may have answered and to engage with other students just like you! We promise, it makes studying much more fun! 😎*

## Sources:
1. Nitrogen Cycle. [https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-biology-flexbook-2.0/section/6.7/primary/lesson/nitrogen-cycle-bio/](https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-biology-flexbook-2.0/section/6.7/primary/lesson/nitrogen-cycle-bio/). Accessed on 30 Nov, 2021.
2. What is the nitrogen cycle?. [https://www.sciencefacts.net/nitrogen-cycle.html](https://www.sciencefacts.net/nitrogen-cycle.html). Accessed on 30 Nov, 2021.
3. What Is the Nitrogen Cycle and Why Is It Key to Life?. [https://kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2019.00041](https://kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2019.00041). Accessed on 30 Nov, 2021.


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legume root nitrogen

TL;DR The Nitrogen Cycle

Trophic levels are the feeding positions in the hierarchy of a food chain or web. There are four main levels: producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and tertiary consumers. We're here to give you all the facts you need to know about them and throw  a few examples in along the way!