Question

What are the similarities and differences between the carbon cycle and nitrogen cycle?

Answer 1

Please see explanation below.

Explanation:

Carbon Cycle:

• There are many important processes in the carbon cycle that primarily relate to photosynthesis, decomposition, and deposition.
• `CO_2` is absorbed by various plants and vegetation and converted into carbohydrates via photosynthesis.
• Carbon travels through the food chain and eventually makes its way into the atmosphere via cellular respiration, burning of fossil fuels, or decay of organisms.
• Carbon travels from the ground to the atmosphere
• Fixation of carbon is carried out by living organism including plants and animals.

Nitrogen Cycle:

• Has the processes of mineralization, nitrification, and denitrification.
• Nitrogen fixation occurs from converting Nitrogen gas (`N_2`) into ammonia (`NH_3`).
• Nitrogen is sent to the ground.
• The nitrogen cycle takes place in Earth's various "spheres" (geosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere).
• All stages of the nitrogen cycle are carried out by various microorganisms.

Both:

• Both are biogeochemical cycles that release their respective element into the atmosphere.
• The carbon and nitrogen cycles work together and can often be referred to as the CNO cycle.
• Both start as a gas and end as a gas.