Food chain
The diagram illustrates the important role that microbes i.e. algae, cyanobacteria and the decomposers, play as primary producers and in the cycling of nutrients.
![Food chain diagram](https://microbiologysociety.org/static/18aa8374-d8b8-4aec-bcbad005d14b837c/600x400_highestperformance_/Food-chain-1.jpg)
Step 1: Photosynthesis
![Photosynthesis](https://microbiologysociety.org/static/e532a0d3-ad60-4f4d-b00912d908cf48ec/600x400_highestperformance_/food-chain-2.jpg)
Step 2: Primary producers
![Primary producers](https://microbiologysociety.org/static/fc48112b-52f0-41e3-b03b23c9db795498/600x356_highestperformance_/food-chain-3.jpg)
Organisms that make their own food are called primary producers and are always at the start of the food chain.
Animals and micro-organisms like fungi and bacteria get energy and nutrients by eating other plants, animals and microbes.
Step 3: Aerobic respiration
![Aerobic respiration](https://microbiologysociety.org/static/8c5f79ee-f5ca-4b8e-ac837b7aae2dbab6/600x356_highestperformance_/food-chain-4.jpg)
Step 4: Decomposition
![Decomposition](https://microbiologysociety.org/static/35af71a1-8f03-4a22-bd65887aa8ab1877/600x356_highestperformance_/food-chain-5.jpg)
Green algae and cyanobacteria are found at the beginning of the food chain. They are known as primary producers because they make their own food.
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Carbon cycle
Where has that carbon atom been? The carbon cycle is a complex cyclical process through which all of the carbon atoms in existence rotate.
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Nitrogen cycle
Similar to the carbon cycle the nitrogen cycle is the process by which nitrogen in all its forms, cycles to the environment.