Natural (Nutrient) Cycles

C, N, and P-macronutrients

(we need a relatively large amount)

Carbon Cycle- 5 processes

• Respiration -vs- Photosynthesis• Decomposition • Waste Removal• Combustion• Metabolism in Organisms

– Carbohydrates - plants, some animal– Proteins - animals, some plants (peanuts)– Lipids - animals, some plants (oils)– Nucleic Acids - all cells (DNA, ATP)

Photosynthesis

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Carbon “moves” from the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (CO2) to Plants as sugar (C6H12O6).

Photosynthesis

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Respiration

What happens in respiration?•Oxygen - is “gotten” (breathing, for example)

•Sugar - is obtained (made - plants, eaten - animals)

•Blood - carries O2 & sugar to all cells•Cells - absorb O2 & sugar by diffusion•Mitochondria - Makes Energy•CO2 - is exhaled/released as waste

Decomposition- break down of dead organic matter

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Decomposition

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Metabolism- all the chemical reactions in an organism

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Combustion - burning of organic

material.

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Carbon Cycle Overview

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Nitrogen CycleImportance?• Animal and Plants need it (Protein/Nucleic Acid)• Plants (and animals) can’t use N gas!

Processes - that put N into a usable form.Takes place in the Atmosphere & Lithosphere.• In Air: Lightning strikes convert N into a usable form

• Nitrogen Fixation (by bacteria in soil)– In soil: Some Bacteria in symbiosis with Legumes– In soil: Some bue-green Algae in soil

Nitrogen Cycle Overview

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Protein

Air

Soil

Nitrogen Cycle Overview

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Phosphorus CycleImportance?• Plants growth (especially of leaves)

– >Eutrophication - over growth of algae

• All cells need it for: – DNA - genetics– ATP - Cellular Energy

Processes -Take place primarily in the hydrosphere & lithosphere.• Demineralization: phosphorous in rocks is dissolved by

ground water• Animal/Plant Excretion and Decomposition

Phosphorus Cycle Overview

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B

C

Eutrophication

D

Water Cycle Overview

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Water Cycle

• Condensation• Precipitation• Evaporation• Respiration• Evapotranspiration• Infiltration• Run-off

Imbalance in nature

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Food Web / Cycles

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Summary

• C - needed for “backbone” of all organic chemicals.

• N - proteins, nucleic acids

• P - nucleic acid / plant growth

• Water - 75% of organisms / Earth

• All (nutrients) are recycled according to The Law of Conservation of Matter.