Carbon and Nitrogen Cycling

Carbon Atoms All living organisms are based on the carbon atom. Carbon atoms continually move through living organisms, the oceans, the atmosphere, and the crust of the planet. The paths taken by carbon atoms through this cycle are extremely complex, and may take millions of years to come full circle.

Carbon Cycling Basics Plants use carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight to make sugar molecules and oxygen. Animals take in oxygen and break down sugar molecules releasing energy for the animals life processes. Animal releases carbon dioxide.

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6H2O + 6CO2 ----------> C6H12O6+ 6O2 How the plant does it…… Photosynthesis! The process by which producers use the energy from sunlight to produce sugar, which consumers convert to "fuel“. 6H2O + 6CO2 ----------> C6H12O6+ 6O2 6 molecules of water + 6 molecules of carbon dioxide = 1 molecule of sugar + 6 molecules of oxygen

Nitrogen Atoms All life requires nitrogen. (protein and DNA are just a few uses) Air is 79% nitrogen gas (N2).

Nitrogen Cycling Basics Most organisms cannot use nitrogen in the form N2 or “Free Nitrogen”. It must be combined with other molecules or “Fixed”. This is done by bacteria who live in “nodules” on plant roots. This is an example of mutualism!

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Remember…… Water, Carbon, and Nitrogen are all necessary to living things. All three are types of matter. All three are constantly being cycled through producers, consumers, decomposers, and the environment.