1. Cycling of Matter
Nutrient Cycles

2. Cycling of Matter Nutrient Cycles:
The movement of matter through living things, the physical environment and chemical reactions
Ex. C, N, P, H2O , etc.

3. Recall… “Matter is neither created nor destroyed”
Atoms simply change form… from molecule to molecule!

4. The Carbon Cycle
Carbon is found as CO2 in the air and as part of almost all organic molecules
Glucose
Lipid
Amino Acid

5. The Carbon Cycle: CO2 Photosynthesis Respiration Producers Consumers
Decomposers
Compacted into
Fossil Fuels

6. Changes to the Carbon Cycle:

7. Carbon Cycle cartoon

8. Speeding up the Cycle

9. Changes in the Cycle

10. The result is Global Warming!

12. The Nitrogen Cycle:
Nitrogen is found as N2 in the air, in animal wastes and fertilizers, and in many organic molecules (proteins, nucleic acids, etc.) N N
Protein Chain

13. The Nitrogen Cycle: N2 Nitrogen Fixation Denitrification Consumers
(Bacteria)
Denitrification
(Anaerobic Bacteria)
Consumers
Nitrates (NO3-)
Producers

14. Here’s the problem:
Nitrogen gas (N2) is a very stable molecule and does not react easily. To be useful to organisms, nitrogen must be in the form of Nitrate ions (NO3-)

15. NITROGEN FIXATION
Bacteria
Lightning
The process by which atmospheric nitrogen (N2) is converted into nitrate ions (NO3-)

16. Nitrogen Fixation by Bacteria
Most Nitrogen in an ecosystem fixed by bacteria.
Usually found in soil, but sometimes found on roots of plants

17. Nitrogen fixation By Lightning
Energy causes nitrogen to react with oxygen in the atmosphere, forming nitrates.
Nitrates dissolve in water and enter the roots of plants.

18. THE ROLE OF DECOMPOSERS
Break down dead matter and return Nitrates to the soil and to plants!

19. But…how does Nitrogen return to the atmosphere?
Denitrification: The process of reducing nitrates into nitrogen gas
BACTERIA!

20. Nitrogen Cycle

21. The Nitrogen Cycle: N2 Nitrogen Fixation Denitrification Consumers
(Bacteria)
Denitrification
(Anaerobic Bacteria)
Consumers
Nitrates (NO3-)
Producers

22. Activity
Let’s all be nitrogen!

23. The Water Cycle
Water is a necessity for the survival of all living things.
Used for photosynthesis, structure, reproduction, as part of many chemical reactions, etc.

24. The Water Cycle

25. Water Cycle Precipitation – rain and snow
Evaporation – liquid to a gas
Condensation – gas to a liquid
Transpiration – pulled up plants and released through leaves

26. Cycling of Matter – TO KNOW:
Matter cycles indefinitely on our planet. Atoms occur as part of many different structures as part of their natural cycle.
Cycling of matter can be fast or very slow.
Cycling of matter is critical to ensure the return of nutrients to living things.
Human activities can alter these cycles.
Examples: Climate Change, Deforestation, Fertilizer and Pesticide use, Altering natural flow of water, etc.
The End!