Choose the most appropriate option to describe the role of biogeochemical cycles in an ecosystem.
(a) To provide food directly to all organisms.
(b) To recycle essential nutrients between biotic and abiotic components.
(c) To create new elements for use by living things.
(d) To remove pollutants and toxins from the organism.
(b) To recycle essential nutrients between biotic and abiotic components.
Explanation: Biogeochemical cycles refer to the continuous movement and recycling of matter (nutrients) such as carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and water between the biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components of the Earth. These cycles ensure that essential nutrients remain available for organisms, and help maintain ecosystem balance. Unlike energy flow, which is unidirectional (Sun → producers → consumers → environment) and is not recycled, matter is continuously recycled through these cycles.
