AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Animals absorb phosphates by eating plants or plant-eating animals. Phosphorus cycles through plants and animals much faster than it does through rocks and sediments. When animals and plants die, phosphates will return to the soils or oceans again during decay.

Detailed explanation-2: -Role of P in human and animal nutrition Humans and other animals obtain P from eating plants, and use it to make bones, teeth, and shells. It is also an important constituent of cell membranes, DNA, RNA, and ATP. Phosphorus is excreted as phosphate and organic-P compounds.

Detailed explanation-3: -The phosphate acquired by organisms is returned to the soil or water through animal excretions (poop) and through the decomposition of dead organisms.

Detailed explanation-4: -In most mammalian species inorganic phosphorus (P) is absorbed at the duodenal and jejunal level. However in horses some P is absorbed from the large intestine, whereas in ruminant animals some absorption also takes place in the forestomachs.

Detailed explanation-5: -Plants and algae assimilate inorganic phosphorus into their cells, and transfer it to other animals that consume them. When organisms die, their phosphorous is released by decomposer bacteria.