Biology 2483A Lecture Notes - Apatite, Arctic Vegetation, Niche Differentiation
5 Dec 2013
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Document Summary
In addition to energy, all organisms require specific chemical elements to meet their biochemical requirements for metabolism and growth. Organisms get these elements by absorbing them from the environment or by consuming other organisms. Iron is required by all organisms for several metabolic functions. However, organisms obtain this iron from different sources in very different ways. However, the ultimate source of iron is solid minerals in earths crust which are subjected to chemical transformations as they move through the different physical and biological components of ecosystems. Biogeochemistry is the study of the physical, chemical, and biological factors that influence the movement and transformation of elements (nutrients and non nutrients like tracers or pollutants). Understanding biogeochemistry is important in determining the availability of nutrients which are chemical elements required for metabolism and growth. Nutrients must be in certain forms for uptake by organisms. The rate of physical and chemical transformations determines the supply of nutrients.
