1. What goes around, comes around Biogeochemical cycles and you

2. Think about it! What elements are you made of? Where did those molecules come from? Where will the elements go when you decompose? Why are biogeochemical cycles important to you?

3. Biogeochemical cycles Atoms move from biotic to abiotic and back Reservoirs – points at which atoms spend a significant time Processes – transform atoms through stages and states

4. Water cycle Importance: Maintain homeostasis (temperature, pH) Dissolves solutes Cellular respiration makes energy in your cells Aids in digestion

5. So what sounds familiar? Processes Precipitation Condensation Evaporation Transpiration Runoff infiltration Locations Ocean Lake Cloud River Grass Deer Human Atmosphere Spring aquifer

6. Carbon cycle Energy source (carbohydrates) Backbone of organic molecules (carbs, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids)

7. Carbon cycle

9. Act out the carbon cycle Processes Photosynthesis Cellular respiration Ingestion Formation of fossil fuels Combustion Locations Plant Animal Atmosphere Soil ocean

10. Nitrogen cycle Present in all proteins (structural and enzymatic) and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA)

11. Legumes are the stars!

12. These are legumes, too!

13. Rhizobium bacteria in nodules on legume roots start the cycle

14. The Nitrogen cycle

15. Nitrogen cycle game Each team needs: Appendix A: The Nitrogen cycle game Appendix B: Nitrogen cycle game board TWO pennies per team One game piece (different shaped pasta) for each team member. A different colored pencil for each team member.

16. Start in the atmosphere Flip both pennies Follow pathway as directed! Use your colored pencil to show the path your atom is taking.

17. So what just happened? Label each arrow with the name of the process (#1  #3 is diffusion) How does this activity reflect the real nitrogen cycle? How is does this cycle reflect the conservation of matter? (Matter not created or destroyed.... )

18. Act out the Nitrogen cycle Processes Nitrogen fixation Nitrification Assimilation/uptake Ingestion Ammonification Denitrification diffusion Locations Atmosphere Soil Roots of legumes Plants Animals

19. Phosphorus cycle Present in nucleic acids Critical mineral for bones and teeth

21. Who cares? You do! Why?