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Biogeochemical Cycles Honors Biology Slide 2 Recall Energy FLOWS through ecosystems Sun Chemical Energy Usable Energy Heat (glucose, food) (ATP) Energy is never created nor destroyed, but can change forms Law of thermodynamics Slide 3 Matter in Ecosystems Matter is conserved in chemical reactions Not created nor destroyed but can be changed Conservation of matter Slide 4 Earths Spheres Atmosphere Gases that surround Earth Hydrosphere All water on Earth Geosphere/Lithosphere Solid Earth Biosphere All life on Earth Slide 5 What happens in one sphere effects the others Slide 6 Biogeochemical Cycles Bio = life Geo = Earth Chemical = processes Cycles = series of repeated events Responsible for the cycling of matter in ecosystems, essential to life Responsible for the cycling of matter in ecosystems, essential to life 4 cycles: Phosphorus Water Nitrogen Carbon** Slide 7 Phosphorus Cycle Phosphorus is needed for nucleic acids, ATP, cell membranes Slide 8 Water Cycle Water is essential to the metabolism of all organisms Slide 9 Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen is part of amino acids, proteins and nucleic acids Slide 10 Carbon Cycle Carbon forms the the framework of all molecules essential to life Key processes: Photosynthesis Plants use CO 2 for photosynthesis, make glucose and O 2 Cellular respiration All organisms use glucose and O 2 to make ATP, release CO 2 Human impact! Activities increase in CO 2 atmosphere Removing plants means CO 2 isnt being cycled as quickly as it is being added Greenhouse effect and global climate change