TOPIC: Ecology AIM: How are materials cycled through the environment?
Water Cycle Evaporation (L G) Condensation (G L)
Transpiration (liquid evap from leaves) Precipitation (rain…)
Involves photosynthesis & respiration Carbon & Oxygen Cycle Involves photosynthesis & respiration oxygen Cellular Respiration Photosynthesis carbon dioxide
Nitrogen Cycle Transfer of N from air to soil, to living things & back to air
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert nitrogen gas to nitrates
Plants use nitrates for protein synthesis
Animals eat plants (produce nitrogenous wastes = urea & ammonia)
Decomposers break down nitrogenous wastes and dead plants and animals release ammonia into soil
Nitrifying bacteria convert ammonia into nitrates
Plants use the nitrates OR Denitrifying bacteria converts nitrates to nitrogen gas