Carbon, Nitrogen, & Phosphorous Cycles Terms

Photosynthesis

plants take in carbon dioxide from the air and use sunlight to convert it to food (sugar)

Respiration

Animals and plants release carbon dioxide back into the air when they use food for energy

Decomposition

Dead plants and animals break down, returning carbon to the soil and air

Combustion

Burning fuel (wood or coal) releases stored carbon as carbon dioxide into the air

Carbon Sink

A place that stores carbon for a long time, ex. Ocean or forest

Nitrogen Fixation

bacteria changes nitrogen from nitrogen gas in the air to forms that plants can use

Nitrification

Bacteria changes ammonia into nitrates which plants can absorb

Assimilation

plants take in nitrates and use them to make proteins

Ammonification

decomposers break down dead things releasing ammonia back into the soil

Denitrification

Bacteria turns nitrates back into nitrogen gas, sending it back into the atmosphere

Weathering

rain and wind break down rocks, releasing phosphate into the soil and water

Absorption

plants take up phosphate from the soil through their roots

Consumption

animals eat plants and get phosphorous for their bodies

Decomposition

when plants and animals die, decomposers return phosphorus to the soil

Sedimentation/deposition

Phosphates in water settle to form new rocks over time

Carbon Cycle

how carbon moves from the atmosphere to the earth and back

Phosphorous Cycle

How phosphorus travels through rocks, soil, water, and living organisms

Nitrogen Cycle

How Nitrogen moves through earth, land, water in different forms