Post on 15-Jan-2016
The Water Cycle
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Precipitation
• Water that has condensed in the air forms clouds
• Drops fall to Earth and accumulate in oceans and lakes
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Water Cycle
Using WaterEvaporation
Using Water
• Plants and animals need water to live
• Water is pulled from bodies of water or from the ground (groundwater)
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Water Cycle
WastePrecipitation
Waste
• Plants and animals return water to environment through transpiration
• Animals return water to ground and bodies of water through urine
Evaporation
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Water Cycle
Using Water
Evaporation
• Water from oceans, lakes, and other bodies of water re-enters the atmosphere through evaporation
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Water Cycle
PrecipitationWaste
The Carbon Cycle
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Photosynthesis
• Plants use CO2 from the atmosphere to make high-energy carbon molecules
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Carbon Cycle
Metabolism
Respiration
Gas Exchange
Pollution
Metabolism
• Organisms use high energy carbon molecules for growth
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Carbon Cycle
Respiration
Waste
Decomposition
Photosynthesis
Respiration
• CO2 is released through aerobic respiration (breathing, for example)
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Carbon Cycle
PhotosynthesisMetabolism
Decomposition
Waste
• Carbonates released into ground and water supply
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Carbon Cycle
Gas Exchange
Metabolism
Photosynthesis
Decomposition
Gas Exchange
• CO2 is exchanged between the air and water
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Carbon Cycle
PhotosynthesisWaste
Decomposition
• When organisms die and decay, the carbon molecules in them enter the soil.
• Microorganisms break down the molecules, releasing CO2
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Carbon Cycle
Photosynthesis
PollutionMetabolism
Pollution
• Remains of dead organisms are converted into fossil fuels (over millions of years!)
• Combustion of fossil fuels and wood releases CO2
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Carbon Cycle
Using WaterMetabolism
The Nitrogen Cycle
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Nitrogen Fixation
• Lightning and bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into nitrates (NO3) and ammonia (NH3)
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Nitrogen Cycle
Protein Production
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Protein Production
• Plants use nitrogen molecules to make amino acids
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Nitrogen Cycle
Nitrogen FixationConversion
Conversion
• Consumers convert plant proteins to animal proteins
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Nitrogen Cycle
WasteProtein Production
Waste
• Decomposers break down animal and plant matter into nitrogen compounds
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Nitrogen Cycle
Return to Atmosphere
PollutionConversion
Return to Atmosphere
• Nitrogen compounds break down into gas and return to air
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Nitrogen Cycle
Nitrogen FixationWaste
Runoff
• Runoff of nitrates in fertilizers enters groundwater and soil
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Nitrogen Cycle
Protein Production
Pollution
• Nitrous Oxide from burning fossil fuels falls as Nitric Acid in rainwater
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Nitrogen Cycle
Waste
Question 1: What would happen to primary producers and consumers if nitrogen-fixing bacteria were removed from the ecosystem?
Question 2: Grandma Johnson had very sentimental feelings toward Johnson Canyon, Utah, where she and her late husband had honeymooned long ago. Her feelings toward this spot were such that upon her death she requested to be buried under a creosote bush overlooking the canyon.
Trace the path of a CARBON atom from Grandma Johnson’s remains to where it could become part of a hawk.
Note: A hawk is a carnivore, but it did NOT dig up and consume Grandma Johnson’s remains!!!