Bacteria and fungi are found in all ecosystems on Earth. A scientist claims that fungi are keystone species in a particular terrestrial ecosystem. To test this hypothesis, the scientist divides an area within the ecosystem into multiple small plots of similar size. Equal numbers of plots are then randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups. Plots in the first group are sprayed with a water-soluble substance that selectively kills fungi. Plots in the second group are sprayed with a water-soluble substance that selectively kills bacteria. Plots in the third group are sprayed with the same volume of water only. After a certain period of time, the scientist then measures the amount of accessible nutrients in the soil in each plot.
(a) Describe ONE common role of both bacteria and fungi in the movement of energy and matter in ecosystems.
(b) Describe how analyzing the data from the treatment group sprayed with water only will increase the validity of the experimental results.

4.) metal

"-the movement of carbon from the nonliving environment into living things and back to the environment

-carbon is the essential component of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates (which make up all organisms)

-carbon exists in air, water, and living organisms

-producers convert carbon dioxide in the atmosphere into carbohydrates during photosynthesis

-bacteria in the atmosphere cycles through the system in filtration units

-in cellular respiration, carbon is released back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide

-some carbon is stored in limestone (forming one of the largest "carbon sinks" on earth)

-largest carbon reservoir on earth= limestone

-carbon stored in the bodies of organisms as fat, oils, or other molecules may be released into the soil or air when the organism dies

-this may form deposits of coal, oil, or natural gas (fossil fuels, which increased the atmospheric carbon dioxide)

-fossil fuels store carbon left over from bodies of organisms that died millions of years ago

-they are located in the surface of earth, deep within the earth and beneath the ocean floor."