The Different Cycles

• The Carbon Cycle: (Diagram)

  A) Air

  B) Photosynthesis

  C) Respiration

  D) Eating

  E) Respiration

  F) Waste

  G) Microorganisms

  H) Decay

  I) Decayed

  J) Burning

  K) Burning

  
• The Carbon Cycle:

  • The Carbon Cycle is powered by Photosynthesis, where PLANTS absorb Carbon Dioxide to make their own Nutrients

  ANIMALS eat the Carbon Compounds in Plants, and pass them on in Food Chains

  • RESPIRATION by Plants and Animals releases CO2 back into the air

  Microorganisms (Decomposers) DECOMPOSE waste AND Dead Matter. Decomposers release CO2 back into the air by Respiration, when they break down material

  • COMBUSTION means that Wood and Fossil Fuels are burnt, releasing CO2

  Decomposition of dead materials means that Nutrients are returned to the Soil

  
• The Nitrogen Cycle

  1. [Nitrogen Fixation] The process of turning Nitrogen from the Air into Nitrogen Compounds in the SOIL, which plants can use

  This happens in Two Ways:

  • [LIGHTNING] The energy in a Lightning Bolt reacts Nitrogen with Oxygen, to produce Nitrates (NO3)
  • [NITROGEN FIXING BACTERIA] They are found in Soil, and in the Roots of plants. They convert Nitrogen into Ammonia

  A) Lightning

  B) Fixation

  C) Nitrates

  D) Nitrogen Fixing

  E) Ammonia

  
• The Nitrogen Cycle

  • 2) [Nitrification] is carried out by Nitrifying Bacteria in the Soil

  There are Two Steps:

  • Ammonia in the Soil is converted to NitrITES by the Nitrifying Bacteria
  • Those Nitrites are then converted to Nitrates, ALSO by the Nitrifying Bacteria

  A) Nitrites

  B) Nitrates

  
• The Nitrogen Cycle

  • 3) [Assimilation] plants absorb Nitrates and Ammonium Ions, and use them to create biological molecules such as Proteins

  Nitrogen then enters the food chain. When Animals eat Plants, they ASSIMILATE these Nitrogen containing compounds into their own bodies

  A) Nitrates

  B) Ammonium

  
• The Nitrogen Cycle

  • 4) [Decomposition] Decomposers feed on the Waste Excretions of Animals, and the dead bodies of Plants and Animals. During this process, they convert Urea and Proteins into AMMONIA

  The Ammonia in the Soil forms Ammonium IONS, which is one of the Nitrogen-Containing Compounds plants can absorb and ASSIMILATE

  A) Decomposition

  B) Ammonia

  C) Ions

  
• The Nitrogen Cycle

  • 5) [DEnitrification] DEnitrifying Bacteria in the Soil converts Nitrates back into Atmospheric Nitrogen