Biogeochemical Cycles

​Law of Conservation of Matter: Matter may be changed from one type to another, but it cannot be created or destroyed.

​Nutrient: a substance used by an organism to survive and grow.

​Note: Each vertex represents a carbon atom.

​Which elements are common?

​Note: Each vertex represents a carbon atom.
Example:

​Which elements are common?

​Note: Each vertex represents a carbon atom.
Example:

​Which elements are common?

​Amino acids are combined:

​Each vertex represents a carbon atom.

​Biogeochemical Cycles (nutrient cycles): how chemical elements move through the atmosphere, soil, rocks, bodies of water, ice, and organisms.

​Example:

​Biogeochemical Cycles (nutrient cycles): how chemical elements move through the atmosphere, soil, rocks, bodies of water, ice, and organisms.

​Example: The Nitrogen Cycle

​Biogeochemical Cycles (nutrient cycles): how chemical elements move through the atmosphere, soil, rocks, bodies of water, ice, and organisms.

​Example:

​Primary Producers: Organisms that convert carbon and water into carbohydrates and oxygen using light energy or chemical energy.

​Photosynthesis: The process by which green plants and some other organisms use light energy to make carbohydrates and oxygen gas from water and carbon dioxide.

​Consumers: Organisms, mainly animals, that must eat other organisms to get energy.

​Decomposers: Organisms such as bacteria and fungi that break down wastes and dead organisms to obtain energy and release nutrients, like carbon and nitrogen, into the soil and water.

​Cellular Respiration: The process by which organisms use oxygen to break apart glucose (sugar) to release energy. This also produces carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water.

​Be careful:
ALL organisms do SOME type of cellular respiration!
EVEN PRODUCERS. Plants need energy too.