Water, Carbon, and Nitrogen Cycles

Write underlined information

Fold 3 sheets of paper in order to make 6 flaps and label them according to the example to the left.

Cycles The Water Cycle

Nitrogen Element/Nitrogen Cycle

Carbon Element/ Carbon Cycle

Review Questions

Greenhouse Effect

How to make the flipbook:

How to make the flipbook:

Attach the cycle pictures into the correct flaps with glue/tape/staples/etc.

Write the underlined information into the correct flaps.

Title Page: Cycles

Unlike the one-way flow of energy, matter is recycled within ecosystems.

– This means the kinds and amounts of elements on Earth are relatively constant.

Each element in living organisms most likely came from another living organism through the food chain. Therefore, no amounts are being added nor are they leaving the earth.

ALL ELEMENTS MUST BE RECYCLED IN NATURE.

Flap # 1

Review The Water Cycle

1. Transpiration (from plants)

2. Condensation

3. Evaporation

4. precipitation

5.Accumulation

Flap # 2

Nitrogen

78% of the atmosphere is N2 gas

Nitrogen is present in all living organisms, in proteins, nucleic acids, and other molecules

Flap # 3

The Nitrogen Cycle

Most living organisms can NOT use nitrogenous gas.– Some bacteria (soil bacteria) CAN convert N2

(gas) into NO3 which can be used by plants. This is called nitrogen fixation!

Denitrification- conversion of nitrates into nitrogen gas and sends it back into the atmosphere

Flap # 3

Bacterial nitrogen fixation

N2 in Atmosphere

NH3

Synthetic fertilizer manufacturer

Uptake by producers

Reuse by consumers

Decomposition excretion

Atmospheric nitrogen fixation

Uptake by producers

Reuse by consumers

Decomposition

Decomposition excretion

NO3 and NO2

The Nitrogen Cycle Flap # 3

Carbon

Carbon is the 4th most abundant element in the universe and the 2nd most abundant in the human body.

Carbon is present in all known life forms, making it the chemical basis for all life.

Flap # 4

The Carbon Cycle

Carbon exists in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide gas, and is also present in many other greenhouse gases such as methane.

Carbon on Earth moves in a big cycle.– Respiration, combustion, and decay of plants and animals

ADD carbon dioxide to the air and remove oxygen.– Photosynthesis REMOVES carbon dioxide and adds

oxygen.

The processes should balance out. However, it seems human activity has upset the natural carbon cycle.

Flap # 4

The Carbon Cycle (key terms)

Respiration- the process where oxygen is taken in and CO2 is given off

Combustion- a chemical combination attended by the production of heat, light, and CO2

Photosynthesis- the process in green plants by which sugars are formed from CO2, water, and sunlight

Flap #4

CO2 in Atmosphere

Photosynthesis

feeding

feeding

Respiration

Deposition

Carbonate Rocks

Deposition

Decomposition

Fossil fuel

Volcanic activity

Uplift

Erosion

Respiration

Human activity

CO2 in Ocean

Photosynthesis

The Carbon Cycle Flap #4

The Greenhouse Effect. What is it?

The greenhouse effect is when carbon dioxide and methane trap heat from the sun.– Gases in the atmosphere naturally act like an

insulating layer. They absorb most of the heat that would normally be radiated out into space, and re-radiates it in all directions (including back towards the Earth).

– Increasing temperatures affect ALL organisms!

Flap # 5

Review Questions: Quiz time!

Write the questions into the review questions flap.

Write the full answer, not just the letter choice.

#1

–The only organisms that can convert nitrogen in the atmosphere into a form useful to living things are nitrogen-fixingA plants.

B bacteria.

C detritivores.

D animals.

Back of flip book

#2

–Carbon is found in the atmosphere in the form of A carbohydrates.

B carbon dioxide.

C calcium carbonate.

D ammonia.

Back of flip book

#3

– Earth's temperature range is maintained byA the greenhouse effect.

B climate zones.

C ocean currents and winds.

D latitude differences.

Back of flip book

#4

–Biologists describe nutrients as moving through cycles because the substancesA start as simple organic forms that plants need.B provide “building blocks” and energy that organisms need.

C are passed between organisms and the environment and then back to organisms.

D are needed by organisms to carry out life processes.

Back of flip book

#5

If volcanic activity were to increase, how would that affect the amount of photosynthesis plants could do?

How would this increase in CO2 from the volcanoes affect the greenhouse effect on our planet?

#6

If nitrogen fixating bacteria were to go extinct, how would that affect the nitrogen cycle? List at least 3 effects that could occur.