need help on a problem for my problem set, thanks in advance! You are studying t
ID: 69228 • Letter: N
Question
need help on a problem for my problem set, thanks in advance!
You are studying the decomposition and mineralization from leaf litter in a forest. The litter has the following characteristics:
Material
% of litter mass
C/N ratio
Physiological material
20
5
Cellulose
60
No N
Lignin
20
No N
Three groups of organisms decompose this material
Organism
C/N Ratio
Substrate Use Efficiency
They eat:
Bacteria
5
0.50
Only physiological material
Cellulytic fungi
20
0.40
Everything except lignin
Lignolytic fungi
20
0.25
Everything
Assume:
Growth rates:
A- Bacteria grow faster than fungi and have first crack at any material that they can metabolize (physiological material and dead microbes).
B- Cellulytic fungi grow next fastest and will use resources that bacteria don’t.
C- Lignolytic fungi grow the slowest of all three groups (i.e. they have last crack at material).
D- Microbes will only process a material if they have the nitrogen they need to do so.
1. Given those assumptions, run calculations for the first cycle of decomposition. Calculate:
A-How much of each plant carbon pool is decomposed?
B-How much biomass of each group of microorganisms is produced?
C-.Is any nitrogen mineralized? If so, how much?
Material
% of litter mass
C/N ratio
Physiological material
20
5
Cellulose
60
No N
Lignin
20
No N
Explanation / Answer
An organ is composed of several tissue types that are integrated to perform a particular function.
A systemis an organization of two or more organs and associated tissues working as a unit to perform a common function or set of functions. The body systems are:
1. The muscular and skeletal systems function in body support and locomotion.
2. The endocrine and nervous systems function in integration and coordination by maintaining consistency of body functioning.
3. The digestive, respiratory, circulatory, lymphatic, and urinary systems are involved with processing and transporting body substances. The digestive system mechanically and chemically breaks down foods for cellular use and eliminates undigested wastes. The respiratory system supplies oxygen to the blood, eliminates carbon dioxide, and helps regulate acid-base balance. The circulatory system transports respiratory gases, nutrients, wastes, and hormones; helps regulate body temperature and acid-base balance; and protects against disease and fluid loss. The lymphatic system transports lymph from tissues to the blood stream, defends the body against infections, and aids in the absorption of fats. The urinary system functions to remove wastes from the blood; regulate the chemical composition, volume, and electrolyte balance of the blood; and helps to maintain the acid-base balance of the body.
4. The integumentary system functions to protect the body, regulate body temperature, eliminate wastes, and receive sensory stimuli.
5. The reproductive system functions to produce gametes for sexual reproduction and to produce sex hormones.
Decomposition in soils is a key ecosystem function that in part determines the productivity and health of the plants growing there. Decomposers feed on dead organic matter and in the process break it down into its simplest components: carbon dioxide, water and nutrients (organic matter consists of material or molecules produced by living organisms). The process of decomposition releases large quantities of essential nutrients to the soil solution, thereby making them available to plant roots. In northern hardwood forests, for example, about 85% of a tree’s nitrogen comes from decomposition (Bormann and Likens 1979). Thus, if decomposition of a forest is impaired by drought, acid rain or some other stress, the vegetation may experience nutrient deficiencies.
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