Bell-ringer:

1. Where on Earth do you find Carbon atoms?

2. Where do you find Nitrogen atoms?

• Be able to describe the flow of matter through the carbon and nitrogen cycles.

Today’s Objective:

• With chains, webs, and pyramids, it shows how energy moves through an ecosystem.

• Energy is always being replenished by the sun.

• But MATTER (anything that has mass and occupies space) is cycled and is not replenished like the energy from sunlight.

• There is a finite (or measurable) amount of matter on Earth.

CYCLES IN NATURE

• The atoms of carbon, nitrogen, and other elements that make up the bodies of organisms alive today are the

same atoms that have been on Earth since life began.

• Matter is constantly recycled. It is never lost.

Carbon is a piece of matter that cycles through our environment.

It is never lost or gained…..it just cycles through over and over.

Where is Carbon found?

CARBON DIOXIDE

METHANECARBOHYDRATES

Carbon Dioxide in the

Atmosphere

Wood and fossil fuels burn and put Carbon

into the air.Cellular Respiration:

When organisms breathe out, carbon is released into the atmosphere.

As decomposers break down dead plant and animal

material, some carbon is released into the air.

Volcanoes release carbon into the air

Carbon Entering Biotic

Factors

Photosynthesis: Carbon from the air enters autotrophs.

Primary consumers ingest carbon when they

feed on autotrophs.

Higher-level consumers ingest carbon when they

feed on other heterotrophs

Carbon Entering Biotic

Factors

When plants and animals die,

decomposers break them down and put some of the carbon

into the soil.

Carbon Dioxide in the

Atmosphere

Ways that Carbon enters the atmosphere….

FROM ABIOTIC FACTORS FROM BIOTIC FACTORS

1. Combustion/Burning of Fossil Fuels

2. Open Burning

1. Respiration / Breathing Out

Ways that Carbon enters BIOTIC FACTORS….

1. Photosynthesis 2. Consumption

How Carbon enters SOIL

1. Death and Decomposition

Nitrogen is another piece of matter that cycles through our environment.

It is never lost or gained…..it just cycles through over and over.

Where is Nitrogen found?

78% of the air on Earth Proteins

Nitrogen in Air

Nitrogen Fixation:

Nitrogen cannot be directly absorbed into

plants, but plants NEED nitrogen. Nitrogen from

the atmosphere is absorbed into bacteria in the soil, there they are

CONVERTED (or FIXED) into a form that plant

roots can absorb.

Primary consumers ingest nitrogen when

they eat from autotrophs

Higher-level consumers ingest nitrogen when

they eat other heterotrophs.

Nitrogen found in ammonia is absorbed

into the soil during urination.

Nitrogen in Air

As decomposers break down plants and animals,

nitrogen is recycled into the soil.

Bacteria that decompose also

release some nitrogen back into the

atmosphere.

Combustion/Burning of fossil fuels puts Nitrogen

in the atmosphere.

Ways that Nitrogen enters the atmosphere….

FROM ABIOTIC FACTORS FROM BIOTIC FACTORS

1. Combustion/Burning of Fossil Fuels 1. From Bacteria in the Soil (Denitrification)

This occurs when bacteria living in the soil aren’t getting enough oxygen, so they break

down compounds in the soil- use up the oxygen, and disperse any Nitrogen from the compound into the atmosphere as a waste

product.

Ways that Nitrogen enters BIOTIC FACTORS….

1. Nitrogen Fixation 2. Consumption

Plants cannot use the nitrogen in the air, so bacteria in the soil have to

absorb it and then CONVERT it to ammonia and

nitrates so plants can use it.

Lightening striking the ground also

does this for plants.

How Nitrogen enters SOIL

1. Death and Decomposition 2. Urine

3. Absorption 4. Acid Rain