Topic 1.1. Chemistry of life
All living organisms are made up of atoms of
different elements.
Some elements can be minerals or compounds.
Atoms: The smallest unit of substance.
Elements: A pure substance made up of
identical atoms.
, Compound: A substance containing two or more
elements in a fixed ratio.
Minerals: Simple inorganic substances required
by living organisms.
Micro-elements: Needed in a small quantity
Macro-elements: Needed in a large quantity
Table of minerals, the function and deficiency are
found on pages 36-38 of textbook.
Use of fertilisers in over-utilised soils
Plants need nutrients from the air and soil.
When living organisms die, they decompose.
Farmers use fertilisers to replace the nutrients.
If too much fertiliser is used :
, Eutrophication occurs: The high amount of
nutrients in the water causes algae and other
aquatic plants to grow quickly and rapidly
The overpopulating algae and plants decrease
the suns ability to reach the bottom of the water
body.
The plants die and rot
The number of decomposition bacteria increase
and use up large amounts of oxygen
All living organisms are made up of atoms of
different elements.
Some elements can be minerals or compounds.
Atoms: The smallest unit of substance.
Elements: A pure substance made up of
identical atoms.
, Compound: A substance containing two or more
elements in a fixed ratio.
Minerals: Simple inorganic substances required
by living organisms.
Micro-elements: Needed in a small quantity
Macro-elements: Needed in a large quantity
Table of minerals, the function and deficiency are
found on pages 36-38 of textbook.
Use of fertilisers in over-utilised soils
Plants need nutrients from the air and soil.
When living organisms die, they decompose.
Farmers use fertilisers to replace the nutrients.
If too much fertiliser is used :
, Eutrophication occurs: The high amount of
nutrients in the water causes algae and other
aquatic plants to grow quickly and rapidly
The overpopulating algae and plants decrease
the suns ability to reach the bottom of the water
body.
The plants die and rot
The number of decomposition bacteria increase
and use up large amounts of oxygen
