Cycles of Matter

Biogeochemical cycle

A process in which elements, chemical compounds, and other forms of matter are passed from one organism to another and from one part of the biosphere to another.

Transpiration

Loss of water from a plant through its leaves

Carbon

____________ is found in the atmosphere, as a dissolved gas in the ocean, in producers and consumers, on land in soil and rocks, and underground as fossil fuels.

Carbon Cycle

Cyclic movement of carbon in different chemical forms from the environment to organisms and then back to the environment.

Photosynthesis

the process that moves carbon from the atmosphere to producers.

Decomposition

the process that moves carbon to the soil

Nitrogen

all organisms need __________ to make amino acids and nucleic acids.

Nitrogen Fixation

the process of converting nitrogen gas into nitrogen compounds that plants can absorb and use.

Dentrification

the process by which soil bacteria convert nitrates into nitrogen gas.

Nitrogen

___________ cycles through the water, atmosphere, to soil (where it is fixed by bacteria), to producers, to consumers, to decomposers that release it to the soil, bacteria then convert it to a gas which moves to the atmosphere.

Water Cycle

This cycles includes precipitation, runoff to lakes and rivers, and underground, is then taken in by plants, released through transpiration, and returned to the atmosphere.