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Both the carbon cycle and nitrogen cycle involve the movement of elements between living organisms, the atmosphere, soil, and water. Additionally, both cycles are essential for the functioning of ecosystems and play a crucial role in regulating the balance of nutrients in the environment.

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9mo ago
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Similarities: Both of these are biogeochemical cycles,meaning that the chemicals spend a portion of the cycle in living things (hence the bio) and a portion in the nonliving environment (geo). They are also similar in that they both recycle nutrients that are essential to all organisms. Finally, they both move from the soil into plants via the roots, and then to animals through ingestion, and they can be returned to the environment via decomposition.

Differences: They are different in the manner that they cycle. Nitrogen gas is quite abundant (78% of the air around us is nitrogen). It cannot be used by plants or animals in its gaseous form though. In order for it to be useful, it has to undergo nitrification (Nitrogen gas being changed into a usable form). This is carried out by bacteria that live in nodules on the roots of some plants (like beans). Once the nitrogen is used by the plant and makes its way to an animal, it can be released through decomposition or urination. Once it is back in the soil, another type of bacteria cause denitrification, which turns it back into nitrogen gas.

Carbon, on the other hand, requires no special processing by bacteria prior to plants and animals being able to use it. Plants take in carbon dioxide and use it to make sugar. Animals eat this sugar and incorporate it into their body. Some of it is released as the carbon dioxide that we exhale.

Sources:http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/N/...

http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/carbon/efcarbon.html

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13y ago
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Q: What are 2 similarities between carbon cycle and nitrogen cycle?
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Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

What process in an organism is linked to the carbon cycle but not the nitrogen cycle?

Photosynthesis is a process in an organism that is linked to the carbon cycle but not the nitrogen cycle. In photosynthesis, carbon dioxide is taken up by plants to produce glucose and oxygen, which are important components of the carbon cycle. However, nitrogen is not directly involved in this process.


What are the three nutrient cycles that play especially prominent roles?

The three nutrients cycle that plays a big part in our ecosystem are carbon cycles, nitrogen cycles and phosphorus cycles. These three are essential to sustain life and balance in our ecosystem.


Is the nitrogen cycle part of the water cycle and the carbon and oxygen cycle?

The nitrogen cycle is a separate cycle from the water cycle and the carbon and oxygen cycle. The nitrogen cycle involves the processes by which nitrogen is converted between its various chemical forms in the environment, such as nitrogen fixation and nitrification. It plays a crucial role in the dynamics of ecosystems and the availability of nutrients for living organisms.


How are carbon and nitrogen recycled in nature?

While carbon cycle is maintained mainly by plants and animals, nitrogen cycle is maintained mainly by nitrifying bacteria and plants.


What is the importance of the nitrogen and carbon cycle to us?

The importance of the nitrogen and carbon cycle to us is critical to the survival of all living things on Earth. Nitrogen is absorbed by plants in the food creation process known as photosynthesis. The carbon cycle helps to reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere and return it to the soil to creat organic material.