The Phosphorus Cycle
One of the basic components to life, Phosphorus, is very important. The main uses for phosphorus in life are for DNA, which tell the genetic make up of animals, and for Adenosine Triphosphate, which deals with energy. Phosphate helps DNA by being the connectors for the double-helix. In ATP, the P stands for Phosphate. It is important because when the phosphate element is added energy can be stored. When the P is taken away energy can be released.
Phosphate can come from rocks within the earth. When the rocks breakdown and are eroded into soil, the phosphate is released to be used into the plants. The producers get their phosphate from the ground while the consumers get their phosphate from the plants. Phosphorus is recycled through the environment when living materials start to decay. The phosphorus is then released and can be washed into water to be used by the plants in the water.
The biggest reservoir for phosphorus is the lithosphere. The lithosphere is the outermost layer in the Earth's crust. But there is a big problem because the phosphorus in the lithosphere can only be used so often due to the amount of time it takes for that phosphorus to reach the earths surface again. Because of this, farmers use fertilizers with phosphorus in them because where the farmers are farming could have a phosphorus deficiency. The other human interaction with the phosphorus cycle is that using fertilizers and not doing certain methods in the disposal of waste, humans may put excess amounts of phosphorus in areas which can be a bad thing.
Interesting Facts:
1.) White phosphorus lights spontaneously in the air
2.) Red phosphorus needs to be influenced by striking something against it which is why it is used in matches
Let the video load all the way and then skip to just over halfway when he starts talking about phosphorus.
Crash Course Informational Video
Phosphate can come from rocks within the earth. When the rocks breakdown and are eroded into soil, the phosphate is released to be used into the plants. The producers get their phosphate from the ground while the consumers get their phosphate from the plants. Phosphorus is recycled through the environment when living materials start to decay. The phosphorus is then released and can be washed into water to be used by the plants in the water.
The biggest reservoir for phosphorus is the lithosphere. The lithosphere is the outermost layer in the Earth's crust. But there is a big problem because the phosphorus in the lithosphere can only be used so often due to the amount of time it takes for that phosphorus to reach the earths surface again. Because of this, farmers use fertilizers with phosphorus in them because where the farmers are farming could have a phosphorus deficiency. The other human interaction with the phosphorus cycle is that using fertilizers and not doing certain methods in the disposal of waste, humans may put excess amounts of phosphorus in areas which can be a bad thing.
Interesting Facts:
1.) White phosphorus lights spontaneously in the air
2.) Red phosphorus needs to be influenced by striking something against it which is why it is used in matches
Let the video load all the way and then skip to just over halfway when he starts talking about phosphorus.
Crash Course Informational Video
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