Do Now: Where can carbon be found on Earth?

Fossil Fuels: Coal, Natual Gas, Oil Shells of Marine Organisms: Calcium Carbonate Cells of Living Organisms Organic Matter Decomposing Carbon Dioxide in the Atmosphere Do Now: Where can carbon be found on Earth?

Today’s Task Objective: Students will be able to simulate and describe the path of a carbon molecule as it cycles through the Earth. ACTIVITY: Carbon Cycle Game Imagine you are a carbon molecule. You will move through the Earth by rolling a dice at each station and following the instructions depending on the number you roll.

After you finish your journey… 1. On a piece of paper, map out your journey. 2. Find a partner and compare your maps. How are the similar? How are they different? 3. Brainstorm a list of things that could alter the path you took.

Carbon and Producers Plants and algae are primary producers How do plants produce carbon?

Carbon CO 2 in atmosphere Carbon in plant biomass Photosynthesis Photosynthesis is the chemical reaction used by most producers to get the cycling of matter rolling.

Photosynthesis Inorganic form Organic form

Carbon CO 2 in atmosphere Carbon in plant biomass Photosynthesis / Cellular Respiration Cellular Respiration

Carbon and Consumers Rabbit eats grass  breaks down the carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Cellular respiration takes place and releases CO 2, H 2 O and energy.

What happens to the biomass when plants and animals die? Decomposition! Special organisms (decomposers) break down waste and other dead organic matter. Examples: Fungi and bacteria

Carbon and the Air

What disrupts this balance? The burning of fossil fuels! Global Warming is a result of the excess CO 2 in the atmosphere Combustion Reaction: CH 4 + O 2  CO 2 + H 2 O

Check for Understanding: Think, Pair, Share What would happen to the carbon cycle if all the decomposers went on “strike” and stopped working?

Which of the following illustrates a correct path that carbon can take through an ecosystem ? 1) atmosphere → plant → herbivore → carnivore → soil 2) atmosphere → producer → fossil fuel → factory 3) fossil fuel → atmosphere → consumer → producer 4) atmosphere → producer → carnivore → feces Learning Check

What happens to glucose, the organic carbon compound that is part of the biomass of a producer, when it is broken down by cellular respiration? Choose all that apply. 1) it becomes carbon dioxide 2) it becomes available to producers 3) it is ingested by other consumers 4) it gets locked in rocks Learning Check

Nitrogen – The Nitrogen Cycle /nitrogencycle/

Air (N 2 )  Bacteria  Plants  Animals  Decomposers  Bacteria  Air (N 2 )

Key Concepts Nitrogen in the soil (think fertilizer and manure) help plants grow. Plants get Nitrogen from the soil and excess nitrogen results in excess growth (to a point) Crop rotation keeps the nitrogen levels in the soil at healthy. Nitrogen is needed to make proteins – we get it by eating plants or eating animals that eat plants.

Bacteria are the Stars! Bacteria take the nitrogen out of the air and put it in the soil Other bacteria take the nitrogen out of the soil and puts it in the air Without bacteria there would be no nitrogen cycle.

Key Processes Nitrogen Fixation- converts N 2 in to a compound Decay- Breakdown of protein through digestion produces organic nitrogen components that return to the environment through excretions.

Key Processes Nitrification- The conversion of ammonia (NH 3 ) to nitrates (NO 2 or NO 3 ). Denitrification- converts nitrates to nitrogen gas (N 2 ), replenishing the atmosphere. Key Processes

What happens when humans disrupt the Nitrogen Cycle? Algae blooms from fertilizer runoff into lakes and streams – These use up all the oxygen Infertile land from using all the nitrogen up (this is why we have crop rotation) Acid Rain from polluting gases

The Nitrogen Cycle

What are the BIG SIX??? CHNOPS hydrogen phosphorus

Connection to Space? These biogeochemical cycles is part of what makes a planet habitable

QUIZ: Monday Mar. 4 th The quiz will be on the Water cycle, Carbon cycle, and Nitrogen cycle. Be able to draw all three cycles in one diagram! PRACTICE!