Question

3.11 suppose producers made only the food that they needed and never made any extra. what would happen to the oxygen level in the atmosphere? what would happen to the consumers of creation? 3.12 explain how photosynthesis and respiration are involved in cycling carbon dioxide and oxygen. 3.13 describe three ways that bacteria are involved in the nitrogen cycle.

Explanation:

3.11

Producers, like plants, produce oxygen during photosynthesis. If they only made food for themselves, less oxygen would be released. Consumers rely on oxygen for respiration. So, oxygen levels would drop and consumers would face oxygen - shortage, potentially leading to their decline or death.

During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Respiration is the opposite process in organisms (including plants at night or when not photosynthesizing). Organisms take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide. This creates a cycle of these two gases in the environment.

1. Nitrogen - fixing bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia that plants can use. 2. Nitrifying bacteria convert ammonia into nitrites and then into nitrates, which are also plant - available forms of nitrogen. 3. Denitrifying bacteria convert nitrates back into nitrogen gas, returning it to the atmosphere.

Answer:

Oxygen levels in the atmosphere would decrease, and consumers would face a lack of oxygen for respiration, which could lead to their population decline or death.

3.12