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The Nitrogen Cycle ICS Book Pages 569-572. The nitrogen cycle is the movement of nitrogen atoms through organisms in the food chain and the abiotic community.

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Presentation on theme: "The Nitrogen Cycle ICS Book Pages 569-572. The nitrogen cycle is the movement of nitrogen atoms through organisms in the food chain and the abiotic community."— Presentation transcript:

1 The Nitrogen Cycle ICS Book Pages 569-572

2 The nitrogen cycle is the movement of nitrogen atoms through organisms in the food chain and the abiotic community. Nitrogen is an atom needed for life. – It is used in the bodies of plants and animals to make proteins and DNA.

3 Questions 1 and 2 1)Why is nitrogen important to living things? 2)Do living things need more carbon or nitrogen? Explain.

4 Most nitrogen is found in the atmosphere (sky) as a gas. – But it can’t be used by living things in this form. – Nitrogen gas is very stable and doesn’t react Most living things can only get nitrogen when it is found in a molecule called nitrate (NO 3 - ) – Nitrogen fixation is when nitrogen gas is changed into nitrates, allowing living things to use it.

5 Most nitrates are created by special microorganisms. – These Nitrogen fixing bacteria live in the soil and create most of the nitrogen (nitrates) used by living things. – They live on the roots of plants called legumes. – Examples: Clover, soybeans, peas, alfalfa

6 Question 3 3) How do plants get nitrogen into their bodies?

7 Nitrogen fixing bacteria create nitrates the plant can use, and animals get the nitrogen in their food. – Herbivores get nitrates by eating the plant. – Carnivores get the nitrates by eating these animals, etc.

8 Questions 4-6 4) How do animals get nitrogen into their bodies? 5) What would happen if there were no nitrogen in the soil? 6) EXTRA CREDIT: What kinds of plants should a vegetarian eat? Why?

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10 When organisms create urine, feces, or they die; nitrogen is released and used by decomposers. – Nitrogen fixing bacteria change it back to nitrates that plants can use again. – This is why manure and fertilizers are used to return nutrients like Nitrogen back to the soil.

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12 Last Questions! 7) How does nitrogen get into the ground? 8) When they were farming, Native Americans used to put a dead fish in the ground with their seeds. Why did they do that?


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