Cycles in Nature

Most of the matter on Earth is the same matter that was here when the Earth was formed.

Instead of leaving it continues to change form as it cycles through one of the many cycles of Earth's system.

Carbon atoms are the basis for all life on Earth. These atoms are found in all molecules that make up living organisms—carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. These molecules are called organic molecules.

Carbon can connect with several other atoms, including other carbon atoms.

Carbon moves back and forth between the nonliving environment and the organic molecules found in organisms. This cycle is called the carbon cycle

Carbon in the form of carbon dioxide gas is found in the air and dissolved in water. Plants use carbon dioxide from the air or water to make the sugar glucose in the process of photosynthesis

Proteins are the most abundant organic molecules in living things, and they perform many functions. Nitrogen is a key element in proteins. The movement of nitrogen from the atmosphere to living organisms and back to the atmosphere is called the nitrogen cycle. Bacteria are crucial to the success of this cycle

Although nitrogen gas (N2) makes up 78% of the atmosphere, most organisms cannot use the nitrogen from nitrogen gas.

Some types of bacteria are able to use nitrogen atoms from the atmosphere.

They live in the soil and on the roots of certain plants like beans, clover and peas.

For billions of years the matter that makes up living andorganisms has cycled between living and nonliving parts of the ecosystem

Carbon and nitrogen cycle between abiotic and biotic parts of the Earth.

Water is another important element of our planet.

Water moves through our bodies and through the hydrosphere all over Earth.

Water is always flowing from solid to liquid to gas in the hydrosphere.

Evaporation, condensation, precipitation and collection areas are crucial to Earth's Water Cycle.