Transcript Biogeochemical Cycles

Unit 6-2 Notes
Mr. Hefti - Pulaski Biology
You’ve seen this before – what does it mean?
Earth has a
finite supply
of resources
*Bio = life
*Geo = earth
*Chemical =
having to do
w/ atoms
Layers of Earth
•
•
•
•
Lithosphere: Rocks / soils
Hydrosphere: Water
Atmosphere: Air
Biosphere: Any place there is life
Phosphorus Cycle
• P released from weathered rocks and decaying
organisms
• Why is it important?
– P holds DNA molecule together
– Used to make ATP
The Phosphorus Cycle
Rot
Soil
decomposers
Water Cycle
• H2O supply replenishes itself through:
– Evaporation (and transpiration)
– Condensation
– Precipitation
– Runoff
• Why is it important?
– Earth would dry out without the water cycle
Condensation
Precipitation
Evaporation
Runoff
Soil
Lake
Ocean
Ground water
The Water Cycle
Carbon Cycle
• C gets transformed through:
– Photosynthesis
– Respiration
– Burning of fossil fuels
• Why is it important?
– Needed to make glucose
CO2 released to
atmosphere when
fossil fuels are
burned
CO2 released to
atmosphere during
respiration
Used to make
glucose during
photosynthesis
Plants eaten
by animals
C in rotting tissue
C in fossil fuels
Decaying
plants
make
The Carbon Cycle
CO2 in the
atmosphere
Nitrogen Cycle
• Life requires N-compounds but atmospheric
nitrogen (N2) unusable to most living things
• Nitrogen-fixing bacteria important!
• Why is it important?
– Needed to make proteins
The Nitrogen Cycle
Nitrogen in
atmosphere
Nitrogen in animal
proteins
Nitrogen
in plant
proteins
Nitrogen in decaying tissues
Soil bacteria “fix” nitrogen for use by plants
Oxygen Cycle
• Living things need O2
• Needed for release of energy
• Why is it important?
– Cellular respiration
At night, plants take in
O2 and give off CO2
During day, plants take in
CO2 and give off O2
The Oxygen Cycle
Animals take in O2
and give off CO2
The Water Cycle
The Water Cycle
The Carbon Cycle
The Carbon Cycle
The Nitrogen Cycle
The Nitrogen Cycle
The Oxygen Cycle
The Oxygen Cycle
The Phosphorus Cycle
The Phosphorus Cycle