The use of energy and matter by living organisms involves chemical cycling from light energy from the sun and returning of chemicals to the cycle.
- Photosynthesis is the process by which plants and algae use light energy from the sun, water (H2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2) in order to produce oxygen (O2) and energy in the form of simple carbohydrates (sugar).
- The overall chemical reactions in the photosynthetic process can be written as 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 (glucose) + 6O2
- The biogeochemical cycles refer to the pathways by which essential compounds of living things are circulated.
- For example, the carbon cycle involves the exchange of carbon between biotic (organisms) and abiotic (environment) factors.
- During photosynthesis, plants absorb CO2 from the air to produce carbohydrates such as glucose, thereby decreasing the level of CO2 in the atmosphere.
- Plants in turn serve as food for herbivores.
- Finally, when herbivores dead, carbon-based compounds are broken down into simpler carbon compounds by decomposers (i.e. bacteria and fungi).
In conclusion, the use of energy and matter by living organisms involves chemical cycling from light energy from the sun for the production of chemical energy in food to the decomposition and the returning of chemicals to the cycle.
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