The Water Cycle HOME

Precipitation Water that has condensed in the air forms clouds Drops fall to Earth and accumulate in oceans and lakes Back to the Water Cycle Using WaterEvaporation

Using Water Plants and animals need water to live Water is pulled from bodies of water or from the ground (groundwater) Back to the Water Cycle WastePrecipitatio n

Waste Plants and animals return water to environment through transpiration Animals return water to ground and bodies of water through urine Evaporation Back to the Water Cycle Using Water

Evaporation Water from oceans, lakes, and other bodies of water re-enters the atmosphere through evaporation Back to the Water Cycle PrecipitationWaste

The Carbon Cycle HOME

Photosynthesis Plants use CO 2 from the atmosphere to make high-energy carbon molecules Back to the Carbon Cycle Metabolism Respiration Gas Exchange Pollution

Metabolism Organisms use high energy carbon molecules for growth Back to the Carbon Cycle Respiration Waste Decompositio n Photosynthesis

Respiration CO 2 is released through aerobic respiration (breathing, for example) Back to the Carbon Cycle Photosynthesis Metabolism Decompositio n

Waste Carbonates released into ground and water supply Back to the Carbon Cycle Gas Exchange Metabolism Photosynthesis Decomposition

Gas Exchange CO 2 is exchanged between the air and water Back to the Carbon Cycle PhotosynthesisWaste

Decomposition When organisms die and decay, the carbon molecules in them enter the soil. Microorganisms break down the molecules, releasing CO 2 Back to the Carbon Cycle Photosynthesis Pollution Metabolism

Pollution Remains of dead organisms are converted into fossil fuels (over millions of years!) Combustion of fossil fuels and wood releases CO 2 Back to the Carbon Cycle Using WaterMetabolism

The Nitrogen Cycle HOME

Nitrogen Fixation Lightning and bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into nitrates (NO 3 ) and ammonia (NH 3 ) Back to the Nitrogen Cycle Protein Production Return to Atmosphere

Protein Production Plants use nitrogen molecules to make amino acids Back to the Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen FixationConversion

Consumers convert plant proteins to animal proteins Back to the Nitrogen Cycle WasteProtein Production

Waste Decomposers break down animal and plant matter into nitrogen compounds Back to the Nitrogen Cycle Return to Atmosphere Pollution Conversion

Return to Atmosphere Nitrogen compounds break down into gas and return to air Back to the Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen FixationWaste

Runoff Runoff of nitrates in fertilizers enters groundwater and soil Back to the Nitrogen Cycle Protein Production

Pollution Nitrous Oxide from burning fossil fuels falls as Nitric Acid in rainwater Back to the Nitrogen Cycle Waste

Question 1: What would happen to primary producers and consumers if nitrogen-fixing bacteria were removed from the ecosystem?

Question 2: Grandma Johnson had very sentimental feelings toward Johnson Canyon, Utah, where she and her late husband had honeymooned long ago. Her feelings toward this spot were such that upon her death she requested to be buried under a creosote bush overlooking the canyon. Trace the path of a CARBON atom from Grandma Johnson’s remains to where it could become part of a hawk. Note: A hawk is a carnivore, but it did NOT dig up and consume Grandma Johnson’s remains!!!