Decomposition and the nitrogen cycle

1. nitrogen is in the air in the form of gas
2.nitrogen is made into Nitrogen compounds by Nitrogen fixating bacteria.
3. Nitrogen compounds are now solids in the soil
4. Nitrogen compounds are taken by plants through roots.
5. Plants use the nitrogen compounds from the soil to form proteins and build tissue.
6. Consumers take the nitrogen compounds from the plants.
7. Consumers use the nitrogen compounds from plants to create their proteins and tissues.
8. Waste material from consumers Carry nitrogen compounds
.9. Decomposers breakdown nitrogen compounds and animal wastes returning nitrogen the soil.
10. Certain bacteria in the soil breaks down nitrogen compounds in the soil to produce free nitrogen.
11. Free nitrogen is released into the air.

Steps of the nitrogen cycle:

Nitrogen Is important to living things because nitrogen It is a main element in amino acids, which make proteins. It also is part of cellular reproduction in plants and animals.

The nitrogen cycle relates to decomposition because when decomposers breakdown nitrogen compounds it puts animal waste or dead plants and animals into the soil.. Decomposition then breaks down the remains and returns nitrogen is to the soil.

This image is showing feces or Animal waste, this is returning nitrogen to the soil as it is decomposing.

This tree is decomposing and is therefore returning nitrogen to the soil.

This dead field mouse is returning nitrogen to the soil through decomposition.

This decomposing and dead plant will soon become part of the soil adding nitrogen to the soil.

The lichens on this tree serve as decomposers and are helping to break down the tree.