Cycles in Nature 1.What have we learned about Ecosystems so far? 2.What is Carbon, and how does it move around the earth? 3.What is Respiration? 4.What is Photosynthesis?

1. What have we learned about Ecosystems so far? Week one: – What makes up an Ecosystem – Four Spheres – Biotic/Abiotic factors – Interdependence – Competition – Symbiosis Week two: – The biosphere needs: RESOURCES! – Predator and Prey dynamics – Carrying Capacity Week three: – Movement of energy and matter through an ecosystem – Roles of the: Producer Consumer Decomposer BASICALLY, we have covered five essential points: 1.An ecosystem is a habitat made up of parts working together 2.Those parts working together are both living and non living 3.Those living and non living parts are dependent on each other for resources 4.Resources are made of matter 5.Matter must cycle through the ecosystem

Question 1: What is a basic form of matter?

1. What is Carbon (C)? Carbon is an Element Carbon, like all matter is composed of atoms We can use the Periodic table to better understand elements and atoms The “C” is the symbol, it comes from the element’s English or Latin name The common name is below The 6 is the Atomic Number, which is equal to the number of protons in the nucleus as well as the number of electrons in the electron cloud The is the Atomic Mass, which is the sum of the number of protons and neutrons Carbon is a part of seawater (hydrosphere), the atmosphere, rocks like limestone and coal (lithosphere), soils and all parts of the biosphere Carbon can move from one sphere to the next through the CARBON CYCLE!

Question 2: Label the parts of the Carbon Atom. Write how many protons, neutrons and electrons are in one atom of Carbon.

2. Carbon moves from where to where? Carbon moves from the atmosphere to plants. In the atmosphere, carbon is attached to oxygen in a gas called carbon dioxide (CO2). Through a process called photosynthesis, carbon dioxide is pulled from the air to produce food made from carbon for plant growth. Carbon moves from plants to animals. Through food chains, the carbon that is in plants moves to the animals that eat them. Animals that eat other animals get the carbon from their food too. Carbon moves from plants and animals to soils. When plants and animals die, their bodies, wood and leaves decays bringing the carbon into the ground. Some is buried and will become fossil fuels in millions and millions of year. Carbon moves from living things to the atmosphere. That’s us! Each time you exhale, you are releasing carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere. Animals and plants need to get rid of carbon dioxide gas through a process called respiration. Carbon moves from fossil fuels to the atmosphere when fuels are burned. When humans burn fossil fuels to power factories, power plants, and cars and trucks, most of the carbon quickly enters the atmosphere as carbon dioxide gas. Each year, five and a half billion tons of carbon is released by burning fossil fuels. Of this amount, 3.3 billion stays in the atmosphere. Most of the remainder becomes dissolved in seawater (remember the recent Shark article?). Carbon moves from the atmosphere to the oceans. The oceans, and other bodies of water absorb some carbon from the atmosphere. The carbon is dissolved into the water.

Question 3: Draw a diagram showing the movement of carbon between the four spheres. Label the factors involved. atmosphere hydrosphere biosphere lithosphere

3. What are the two main reactions that cause Carbon to cycle through the atmosphere to life and back again? 1.Photosynthesis 1.When CO 2 moves from the atmosphere through the biosphere 2.Respiration 1.When CO 2 moves from the biosphere back to the atmosphere

A. Photosynthesis—when plants and algae convert solar energy to chemical energy How do chemists write the reaction? What are the reactants? – Carbon dioxide – Water What are the products? – Carbohydrates (sugar) – Oxygen What energy is required? – Sunlight

B. Respiration—when organisms release stored energy (sugar), and CO2 is a bi-product How do chemists write the reaction? What are the reactants? – Carbohydrates (sugar) – Oxygen What are the products? – Carbon dioxide – Water – Energy (ATP) What energy is required? – Oxygen C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6 H2O + 36 or 38 ATP

Question 4: Fill in the Blanks 1.You breathe __________ into your lungs. 2.Your lungs deliver ____________ to your red blood cells. 3.Your _________________ carry the ___________ out to all your other _________________. 4.Your other cells burn ________________ in the presence of the _______________ they just received. 5._______________, when burned, gives off ____________ and __________________. 6.Respiration only takes place in the mitochondria of cells.

HOMEWORK: Put your note guide into your take home folder and re- read it tonight THEN, write a short summary on what you know based on the notes (you can list terms as well) Option: if writing is not your strong point, you can create a diagram or chart, but it should convey the same amount of information as declared by the rubric: Rubric: 1 paragraph= ✓ 2 paragraphs= ✓ + 3 paragraphs=+