[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]

Re: Organic matter's effect on soil bulk?



Photosynthesis is an energy trapping process.  Chlorophyll traps the
light energy of the sun.  The energy is first used to run processes that
use carbon dioxide and water to form glucose.  The sun's energy is then
stored in glucose.  Oxygen is given off in the process of glucose
formation. Trees trap more of the sun's energy than any other group of
organisms.

Growth is a process that increases the mass, which is the amount of
matter, of an organism.  Energy and elements are required for growth.

Now, respiration which is energy in use.

Respiration is a process where the energy of the sun first stored in
glucose is then released in cells to run the processes of life.  Glucose
is "burned" in living cells, as oxygen is consumed, and carbon dioxide
and water are given off.  It is fascinating to realize that the
processes of photosynthesis start with carbon dioxide and water, and the
processes of respiration ends with carbon dioxide and water.  In
photosynthesis, oxygen is given off, and in respiration, oxygen is taken
in.  The process of photosynthesis and respiration are so marvelous
because they serve to trap, store, and use sun light energy of the sun
without altering the essential ingredients which is carbon dioxide,
water, and oxygen.

See wood came when lignin was impregnated in along with cellulose. 
Cellulose is made up of glucose molecules.  The glucose molecule is in a
rope fashion.  In other words the way a rope is twisted.  This is the
way glucose goes to form cellulose.  In some of the spaces there is
another chemical we call lignin.  Now lignin can come in an unbelievable
amount of shapes and forms because it has three basic chemical units. 
But basically decay is the breakdown of cellulose. 


This and other information can be found in TREE BASICS by DR. ALEX L
SHIGO.  Geared for 6th grade students on up.  We donate to schools.   
-- 
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\//////////////\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
John A. Keslick Jr.              If you are not OUTRAGED you're not  
Tree Anatomist & Tree Biologist                   paying attention.
Phone: 610-696-5353                    Support ORGANIC FARMERS.
organic tree treatment web site: 
http://www.ccil.org/~treeman/  OR  http://www.ccil.org/~kenm/env/  
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\//////////////\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\



Follow-Ups: References: