Cycles of Matter

Matter Cycles  Food chains and food webs show the linear movement of energy in the ecosystem, from the sun to producers, to consumers, and finally decomposers/detritivores. ENERGY FLOWS  Matter cycles are of equal importance MATTER CYCLES

The Water Cycle  Why is it important? Without water, the following things can’t happen: Without water, the following things can’t happen: Plants can’t do photosynthesisPlants can’t do photosynthesis Which means they can’t growWhich means they can’t grow This growth happens when they make sugars This growth happens when they make sugars If they can’t make sugars, we can’t get energy If they can’t make sugars, we can’t get energy If we don’t have energy, we die! If we don’t have energy, we die!

Water Cycle  Water moves between the ocean, atmosphere, and land Leaves the oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, etc. as evaporation Leaves the oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, etc. as evaporation Or plants through transpirationOr plants through transpiration Forms clouds in condensation Forms clouds in condensation Forms rain in precipitation Forms rain in precipitation Eventually returns to oceans/lakes as runoff Eventually returns to oceans/lakes as runoff

The Carbon Cycle  Why is it important? 1. Carbon makes up ALL living things Carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, fats.Carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, fats. It is found in the skeletons of living thingsIt is found in the skeletons of living things It is found in the air we breatheIt is found in the air we breathe Certain forms of it are used to power machines, including cars!Certain forms of it are used to power machines, including cars!

The Carbon Cycle  How it cycles 1. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is used by plants for photosynthesis Then it is either rereleased back into the atmosphere through cellular respirationThen it is either rereleased back into the atmosphere through cellular respiration OR when the plant dies and decays it winds up in the soil where over million of years it gets turned into coal or oilOR when the plant dies and decays it winds up in the soil where over million of years it gets turned into coal or oil This oil is used to make our cars move. And when our cars let out exhaust, they are letting the carbon back into the air! This oil is used to make our cars move. And when our cars let out exhaust, they are letting the carbon back into the air!

The Nitrogen Cyle  Why is it important? It is found in proteins, DNA, RNA, and it makes up 78% of the atmosphere/ It is found in proteins, DNA, RNA, and it makes up 78% of the atmosphere/ Dissolved nitrogen, in the forms of ammonia or nitrate are necessary for plants to grow. Dissolved nitrogen, in the forms of ammonia or nitrate are necessary for plants to grow.

The Nitrogen Cycle  Happens in two steps: When an organism dies and decays, nitrogen from their bodies enters the soil where…… When an organism dies and decays, nitrogen from their bodies enters the soil where…… 1. Nitrogen Fixation – where bacteria in the soil near the roots of plants turn nitrogen gas into ammonia or nitrate that the plants can use to grow 2. Any extra nitrates or ammonia will be converted back to nitrogen gas to be released into the atmosphere though the process of denitrification