Cycles of MatterCycles of Matter

Matter CyclesMatter Cycles Food chains and food webs show the Food chains and food webs show the

linear movement of energy in the linear movement of energy in the ecosystem, from the sun to producers, to ecosystem, from the sun to producers, to consumers, and finally consumers, and finally decomposers/detritivores.decomposers/detritivores.

ENERGY FLOWSENERGY FLOWS Matter cycles are of equal importanceMatter cycles are of equal importance

MATTER CYCLESMATTER CYCLES

The Water CycleThe Water Cycle

Why is it important?Why is it important? Without water, the following things can’t Without water, the following things can’t

happen:happen:• Plants can’t do photosynthesisPlants can’t do photosynthesis• Which means they can’t growWhich means they can’t grow

This growth happens when they make sugarsThis growth happens when they make sugars If they can’t make sugars, we can’t get energyIf they can’t make sugars, we can’t get energy If we don’t have energy, we die!If we don’t have energy, we die!

Water CycleWater Cycle

Water moves between the ocean, atmosphere, Water moves between the ocean, atmosphere, and landand land Leaves the oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, etc. as Leaves the oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, etc. as

evaporationevaporation• Or plants through transpirationOr plants through transpiration

Forms clouds in condensationForms clouds in condensation Forms rain in precipitationForms rain in precipitation Eventually returns to oceans/lakes as runoffEventually returns to oceans/lakes as runoff

The Carbon CycleThe Carbon Cycle

Why is it important?Why is it important?1.1. Carbon makes up ALL living thingsCarbon makes up ALL living things

• Carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, fats.Carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, fats.• It is found in the skeletons of living thingsIt is found in the skeletons of living things• It is found in the air we breatheIt is found in the air we breathe• Certain forms of it are used to power machines, Certain forms of it are used to power machines,

including cars!including cars!

The Carbon CycleThe Carbon Cycle

How it cyclesHow it cycles1.1. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is used by Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is used by

plants for photosynthesisplants for photosynthesis• Then it is either rereleased back into the Then it is either rereleased back into the

atmosphere through cellular respiration atmosphere through cellular respiration • OR when the plant dies and decays it winds up in OR when the plant dies and decays it winds up in

the soil where over million of years it gets turned the soil where over million of years it gets turned into coal or oilinto coal or oil

This oil is used to make our cars move. And when our This oil is used to make our cars move. And when our cars let out exhaust, they are letting the carbon back cars let out exhaust, they are letting the carbon back into the air!into the air!

The Nitrogen CyleThe Nitrogen Cyle

Why is it important?Why is it important? It is found in proteins, DNA, RNA, and it It is found in proteins, DNA, RNA, and it

makes up 78% of the atmosphere/makes up 78% of the atmosphere/ Dissolved nitrogen, in the forms of ammonia Dissolved nitrogen, in the forms of ammonia

or nitrate are necessary for plants to grow.or nitrate are necessary for plants to grow.

The Nitrogen CycleThe Nitrogen Cycle

Happens in two steps:Happens in two steps: When an organism dies and decays, nitrogen When an organism dies and decays, nitrogen

from their bodies enters the soil where……from their bodies enters the soil where……

1.1. Nitrogen Fixation – where bacteria in the soil near Nitrogen Fixation – where bacteria in the soil near the roots of plants turn nitrogen gas into ammonia the roots of plants turn nitrogen gas into ammonia or nitrate that the plants can use to growor nitrate that the plants can use to grow

2.2. Any extra nitrates or ammonia will be converted Any extra nitrates or ammonia will be converted back to nitrogen gas to be released into the back to nitrogen gas to be released into the atmosphere though the process of atmosphere though the process of denitrificationdenitrification