10/8/14 Objective: What are the biogeochemical cycles? Do Now:
Cycles Biogeochemical cycles: the cycles of materials between living things and the environment –Nitrogen, carbon, and water
Water Cycle Evaporation: liquid turns into a gas Transpiration: evaporation from leaves of plants Condensation: gas turns into a liquid in clouds Precipitation: water in clouds falls to ground
Carbon Cycle Process that add carbon dioxide into the atmosphere: –Decomposition –Respiration (breathing) –Burning of fossil fuels Processes that take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere: –Photosynthesis (by plants)
The Nitrogen Cycle 78 % of the gases in the atmosphere, but plants can’t use it directly. What must nitrogen be converted into? -Nitrates or Ammonia What converts Nitrogen? Where are these organisms found? Nitrogen-fixing bacteria: convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form plants can use –Can be found on roots of legumes If plants absorb nitrates from the soil, how do animals get their nitrogen? - Eating plants or other animals