Cycling of Matter Chapter 2 Section 3

Cycles in the Biosphere Matter cycles = Law of Conservation of Mass “Matter is not created nor destroyed.” *Matter is anything that takes up space and has mass. *Matter must be cycled through the biosphere *Matter provides the nutrients needed for organisms to function (to live).

Organisms need Nutrients The bodies of all organisms are built from water, (H20) and nutrients such as, Carbon (C), Nitrogen (N), and Phosphorus (P) A nutrient is a chemical substance that an organism must obtain from its environment to maintain life and undergo life processes.

Biogeochemical Cycles A combination of Bio = living processes *cellular respiration Geo = physical processes geological processes *weathering of rock Chemical processes *forming macromolecules Examples Water Cycle Carbon Cycle Nitrogen Cycle Phosphorus Cycle

Set up a scrap piece of paper as seen below Carbohydrate Lipid Protein Nucleic Acid

Macromolecules Carbohydrate List the elements that make up a carbohydrate. Important uses for organisms: Stores energy Provides structural support for organisms, like the cell walls of a plant.

Lipids List the elements that make up a lipid. Important uses for organisms: Stores energy for later use Forms the outer layers of a cell.

Amino Acid (protein) List the elements that make up an amino acid. Important uses for organisms: Are involved in every function of your body 15% of your total body mass

Nucleic Acid List the elements that make up a nucleic acid. Important uses for organisms: Store genetic information Transport genetic information

Look at your chart, answer the questions Which element(s) seem to be found in all macromolecules? Which element seemed to be the main element the other elements attached to? Which macromolecules contained different elements? List the macromolecule and its special element.

Water Cycle

Water Cycle Major Parts – Evaporation-Condensation-Precipitation 97% of water is marine (in the oceans) 3% of water is fresh (in lakes and glaciers) 2% of water is frozen in glaciers 1% of all Earth’s water is usable to organisms.

Water and Organisms Humans are made up of 70% water. Water breaks up into hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) to be used organisms(macromolecules).

Carbon Cycle

Carbon Cycle ALL living organisms are made of molecules that contain CARBON. Carbon forms the frame or connection for important organic molecules. Carbon and oxygen often combine to make molecules

Short Cycle of Carbon 1. CO2 (carbon dioxide) is released by living organisms. 2. CO2 is then found in the atmosphere. 3. Plants take in CO2 to do photosynthesis, turns CO2 oxygen for animals and carbon for cells.

Long Carbon Cycle Carbon can be trapped in the lithosphere as: Fossil Fuels – when we burn coal and gasoline, we release the carbon that has been trapped for 1000’s of years. Carbonate Rocks – called Limestone – acid rain releases the carbon in the rock. Long Carbon Cycle

Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen is an element found in proteins. Nitrogen is the most abundant gas in our atmosphere. We can not use nitrogen in our cells as a gas.

Some bacteria that live in the soil and water capture and convert nitrogen into a usable form. This is called nitrogen fixation Once it is fixed, plants absorb the nitrogen.

Organisms get nitrogen when they eat plants. Nitrogen is return to the cycle when an animal.. Urinates – returns it to soil and used by plants again Dies and decays To get nitrogen back to the atmosphere, some bacteria cause denitrification that turns the nitrogen back to gas

Phosphorus Cycle

Phosphorus is an element that is essential for the growth and development of organisms. Short Cycle -Phosphates in water goes into the soil and into producers (plants) -Consumers eat the plants, and get the phosphates. Consumer produces waste Decomposer return phosphorus to soil.

Long Cycle Some phosphorus is trapped in rocks Long Cycle Some phosphorus is trapped in rocks. As rocks undergo weathering, they release phosphorus slowly into the cycle.

Limiting Factors If an ecosystem is lacking water, carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, organisms will not grow and develop as they should. Low levels of these elements would limit how many organisms could live and survive in the system.