Cycles of Matter Unit 2: “Live and Let Die” Chapter 3

Recycling in the Biosphere Energy flows in one direction. Organisms need more than just energy: –water –minerals –life-sustaining compounds These resources are recycled within and between ecosystems.

Matter is neither created nor destroyed. Matter changes forms. Biological systems do not USE UP matter, they TRANSFORM matter into other forms. Law of Conservation of Mass

4 Key Chemical Cycles Essential for Living Organisms Carbon Nitrogen Phosphorus Water These compounds must be in a useable form for organisms. Biogeochemical Cycles

Carbon in the Oceans Many Marine Organisms make Calcium Carbonate: CaCO 3 Marine sediments Bones Shells Decompose and release CO 2 The Carbon Cycle

CO 2 released into atmosphere Volcanic activity Human activity: burning fossil fuels Respiration Plants take in CO 2 by photosynthesis Plants use carbon to build C 6 H 12 O 6 Carbs are passed on to consumers Recycled through decomposition Carbon Cycle

CarbonSugarOxygen Animals RespirationConsumption CO2Water Excretion Green Plants Photosynthesis

All organisms require nitrogen to make amino acids. Amino acids are used to build proteins. N 2 makes up 78% of atmosphere. Ammonia (NH 3 ) Nitrates (NO 3 - ) and Nitrites (NO 2 - ) are found in the wastes of organisms. The Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrate is also found in fertilizers. Most organisms cannot use N 2 gas. Only lightning, volcanic activity, and certain bacteria can break the bonds that hold N 2 atoms together.

Nitrogen Cycle Some bacteria that live in roots of legumes convert N 2 into NH 3 A process known as nitrogen fixation. Other bacteria convert NH 3 into nitrates and nitrites.

Nitrogen Cycle Consumers eat producers and use nitrogen in producers to make proteins. Decomposers return nitrogen to soil as ammonia. Other bacteria covert nitrates into N 2 gas through denitrification.

Nitrogen Nitrates Ammonia Absorption Nitrobacteria Legumes Nitrogen Fixation Excretions Animals Mushrooms Bacteria Decay Denitrification Ammonification Lightning Molecular Nitrogen

Phosphorous is essential because it is found in DNA and RNA. Phosphorous does NOT enter the atmosphere. Phosphorous remains mostly in rock, soil, and ocean sediments. The Phosphorous Cycle

Phosphate is released when rocks and sediments break down. Phosphate that is dissolved in water is used by marine organisms.

Phosphorous Cycle Phosphates in the soil are absorbed by plants. Phosphates get used to make Nucleic Acids and other biologically important compounds. Organic phosphates move through the food web.

The Phosphorous CycleStreams Runoff Seepage CyanobacteriaProtists Green Plants AbsorptionAnimals Consumption Excretions Sediment Decay Erosion

Water moves between the ocean, the atmosphere, and land. Evaporation—water changes from liquid to gas Transpiration—evaporation from leaves of plants The Water Cycle

H2OH2O Clouds Condensation Water Vapor: Evaporation, Respiration, and Transpiration Animal and Root Uptake Abso rption/ Cons umption Runoff Preci pitation