Carbon cycle
Introduction
The Carbon Cycle affects all life on Earth. Elemental carbon is neither created or destroyed, so the recycling of carbon-containing compounds in the environment is essential to the continuation of life. Recently there has been increased interest in the Carbon Cycle becuase of our awareness of how atmospheric levels of CO2 affect global climate change. Microbes play impartant roles in all aspects of the Carbon Cycle, and are a very important consideration when analyzing climate change. Many produce CO2 through respiration,and some fix atmospheric carbon, sequestering it in the soil. Some produce methane and nitrous oxide, which are potent greenhouse gasses, while others degrade toxic and environmentally harmful compounds.
Describe briefly the process you will address and the significance of soil microorganisms in the process (what functions do they perform?).
The Carbon Cycle
Describe the process, using as many sections/subsections as you require. Look at the list of other topics. Which involve processes similar to yours? Create links where relevant.
Decomposition of Organic Matter
The major
Sugars and Proteins
Carbohydrates such as glucose are created and stored in plants which make different sugar polysaccarides. These monomers or disaccarides are taken up by cells after the links in polysaccarides such as starch, cellulose, hemicellulose, and chiten are broken. For example: Alternating alpha 1,4 and beta 1,4 bonds in glucose polysaccarides determine which organisims can break the bonds and utalize the energy in the glucose. Bacteria are exhibit mutualistic relationships with detritivores by breaking the bond in the cellulose and making it availible to the animal.
Cellulose
Hemicellulose
Chitin
Chitin is a special compound which can be found in the integument of arthropods and cell wall of fungi. The polymer is not easily degraded,and requires a variety of enzymes to do so. Chiten enters into the metabolic pathway
Lignin
Lignin is the main component of wood in trees. Lignin has many unique chemical structures which contain aromatics. These aromatics can be released from the lignin sturucture by fungal enzymes peroxidase and oxidase. The enzymes utilize H2O2 and OH radicals to break the bonds in the lignin. Common types of fungi which degrade lignin are White rot, brown rot, and soft rot. Once the aromatics are released from the original lignin structure they are incorperated in to the metabolic pathway as pyruvate, acetyl CoA, and into the TCA cycle.
The modification and breakdown of lignin by fungi and bacterial enzymes help contribute to the formation of humus.
Aromatics, Aliphatics, and Lipids
Formation of Humic Substances
Subsection 1a
Subsection 1b
Key Classes of Microorganisms in the Carbon Cycle
Autotrophs
An important step of the carbon cycle is the fixation of atmospheric CO2 and the subsequent production of organic molecules. Organisms that can convert CO2 into organic molecules are called autotrophs, and include plants, algae, some bacteria, and some archaea. Some bacteria specifically involved in carbon fixation are Cyanobacteria (such as Chroococcus, Nostoc, and Spirulina) and some species of Aquifex,such as Aquifex aeolicus. Cyanobacteria are also important Nitrogen fixers in the Nitrogen cycle including GHG
Saprobes
Another important step in the Carbon Cycle is the decomposition of complex organic matter to produce CO2 (essentially the reverse of carbon fixation). Organisms important in decomposition are bacteria (such as Streptomyces and Clostridium thermocellum), fungi of all kinds, and protists such as Paramecium.
Identify and describe some microorganisms involved. Do they already have their own microbewiki pages? Add links. Create at least one page for a microbe relevant to your topic. Template will appear soon.
Atmospheric Changes Relating to the Carbon Cycle
Global Warming
Methane Production
Acid Rain
Current Research
Enter summaries of recent research here--at least three required
References
Edited by student of Kate Scow
