Question

Explain the following cycles in your own words with suitable diagram.

Oxygen cycle

Answer 1

• Oxygen forms 21% of the atmosphere. It is also present in the hydrosphere and lithosphere. The circulation and recycling of oxygen within the biosphere is called the oxygen cycle.
• This cycle, includes both the biotic and abiotic components. Oxygen is continuously produced as well as used up in the atmosphere.
• Oxygen is highly reactive and it readily reacts with other elements and compounds.
• As oxygen is found in various forms like molecular oxygen (O₂), water (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), inorganic compounds etc, the oxygen cycle of the biosphere is extremely complex.
• Oxygen is released in the process of photosynthesis, whereas it is used up in processes like respiration, combustion, decomposition, corrosion, rusting, etc.