AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The ways in which an element-or, in some cases, a compound such as water-moves between its various living and nonliving forms and locations is called a biogeochemical cycle. This name reflects the importance of chemistry and geology as well as biology in helping us understand these cycles.

Detailed explanation-2: -These cycles are called biogeochemical cycles because they are cycles of chemicals that include both organisms (bio) and abiotic components such as the ocean or rocks (geo). As matter moves through a biogeochemical cycle, it may be held for various periods of time in different components of the cycle.

Detailed explanation-3: -What is a Biogeochemical Cycle? “Biogeochemical cycles mainly refer to the movement of nutrients and other elements between biotic and abiotic factors.” The term biogeochemical is derived from “bio” meaning biosphere, “geo” meaning the geological components and “chemical” meaning the elements that move through a cycle.

Detailed explanation-4: -Abiotic factors refer to non-living physical and chemical elements in the ecosystem. Abiotic resources are usually obtained from the lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere. Examples of abiotic factors are water, air, soil, sunlight, and minerals. Biotic factors are living or once-living organisms in the ecosystem.

Detailed explanation-5: -A biogeochemical cycle is a circuit/pathway by which a chemical element moves through the biotic and the abiotic factors of an ecosystem. It is inclusive of the biotic factors, or living organisms, rocks, air, water, and chemicals.