Cycling of MatterCycling of Matter

Nutrient CyclesNutrient Cycles

Cycling of MatterCycling of Matter

Nutrient Cycles:

• The movement of matter through living things, the physical environment and chemical reactions

• Ex. C, N, P, H2O , etc.

Recall…Recall…

“Matter is neither created nor destroyed”

Atoms simply change form… from molecule to molecule!

The Carbon CycleThe Carbon Cycle

Carbon is found as CO2 in the air and as part of almost all organic molecules

Lipid Amino AcidGlucose

The Carbon Cycle:The Carbon Cycle:

CO2

Photosynthesis

Producers

Respiration

Consumers

Compacted into Fossil Fuels

Decomposers

Changes to the Carbon Cycle:Changes to the Carbon Cycle:

Carbon Cycle cartoon

Speeding up the Cycle

Changes in the Cycle

The result is Global Warming!

The Nitrogen Cycle:The Nitrogen Cycle:

Nitrogen is found as N2 in the air, in animal wastes and fertilizers, and in many organic molecules (proteins, nucleic acids, etc.)

N N

Protein Chain

The Nitrogen Cycle:The Nitrogen Cycle:

N2

Nitrogen Fixation(Bacteria)

Nitrates (NO3-)

Denitrification (Anaerobic Bacteria)

Consumers

Producers

Here’s the problem:

Nitrogen gas (N2) is a very stable molecule and does not react easily. To be useful to organisms, nitrogen must be in the form of Nitrate ions (NO3

-)

NITROGEN FIXATION

The process by which atmospheric nitrogen (N2) is converted into nitrate ions (NO3

-)

Lightning Bacteria

Nitrogen Fixation by Bacteria

Most Nitrogen in an ecosystem fixed by bacteria.

Usually found in soil, but sometimes found on roots of plants

Nitrogen fixation By Lightning

Energy causes nitrogen to react with oxygen in the atmosphere, forming nitrates.

Nitrates dissolve in water and enter the roots of plants.

THE ROLE OF DECOMPOSERS

Break down dead matter and return Nitrates to the soil and to plants!

But…how does Nitrogen return to the atmosphere?

Denitrification: The process of reducing nitrates into nitrogen gas

BACTERIA!

Nitrogen Cycle

The Nitrogen Cycle:The Nitrogen Cycle:

N2

Nitrogen Fixation(Bacteria)

Nitrates (NO3-)

Denitrification (Anaerobic Bacteria)

Consumers

Producers

The Water CycleThe Water Cycle

Water is a necessity for the survival of all living things.

Used for photosynthesis, structure, reproduction, as part of many chemical reactions, etc.

The Water CycleThe Water Cycle

Water Cycle

Precipitation – rain and snowEvaporation – liquid to a gasCondensation – gas to a liquidTranspiration – pulled up plants and

released through leaves

Cycling of Matter – TO KNOW:Cycling of Matter – TO KNOW:

Matter cycles indefinitely on our planet. Atoms occur as part of many different structures as part of their natural cycle.

Cycling of matter can be fast or very slow.Cycling of matter is critical to ensure the return

of nutrients to living things.Human activities can alter these cycles.

Examples: Climate Change, Deforestation, Fertilizer and Pesticide use, Altering natural flow of water, etc.

The End!The End!