2. Miss Forsythe Science The Cycles of Matter

3. The Water Cycle The matter (stuff) in your body has been around for millions of years Nature does not always make new matter! NATURE RECYCLES!!!!

4. The Water Cycle Water Cycle- The movement of water between the oceans, the land and the atmosphere. The same water has been on Earth for millions of years. Nature recycles!

5. The Water Cycle Evaporation- The change of a substance from a liquid to a gas. Condensation- The change of substance from a gas to liquid. –Think of a cold can of soda on a hot day! Precipitation- Any form of water that falls to the Earth’s surface from the clouds. –EX: rain, snow, sleet –Transpiration: The release of water by the plants into the atmosphere. (plant sweat)

6. The Water Cycle

8. WE NEED H 2 0! All living things are made from water. Water helps transport nutrients and waste within living things. Water helps regulate temperature. ALL LIVING THINGS NEED WATER!

9. The Carbon Cycle Organic Molecules- Molecules that contain carbon. All living things contain carbon. Carbon is used by all living things and is recycled in nature through the “Carbon Cycle.” Photosynthesis and respiration are the basis for the carbon cycle. (we will discuss this later)

13. Decomposition- The breakdown of substances in to a simpler form. –Example: dead things are decomposed and their nutrients are returned to the environment. Combustion- The burning of a substance. –Example: Burning wood or fossil fuels (gas) releases carbon dioxide into the environment.

14. The Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen is important to living things. Organisms need nitrogen to build proteins and is major ingredient in DNA! About 78% of the Earth’s atmosphere is nitrogen. (That is the good news)

15. The Nitrogen Cycle Most organisms cannot use nitrogen gas from the atmosphere. ( That is the bad news) This is where the Nitrogen Cycle comes in! Nitrogen Fixation- Bacteria change (fixing) nitrogen (N 2 ) into a form that can be used by living things. (WAY COOL!)

16. The Nitrogen Cycle

17. Passing it on: Decomposers break down the remains of dead things. –Nitrogen is then released into the soil for use by plants.