Cycles of Matter:

Matter must cycle through earth systems in order for living organisms to have essential elements for life. Such as nitrogen, water, and carbon

These materials must be constantly reused and recycled because matter can neither be created or destroyed

Photosynthesis: plants capture CO2 from the atmosphere and use it to make sugar

Cellular Respiration: CO2 released into the atmosphere as waste from metabolism

Consumption: one organism eats another for carbon.

Decomposition: decomposers break down carbon from dead organisms, recycling it in the soil.

Fossilization: converts carbon from once-living organisms into fossil fuels through intense heat and compression.

Combustion: CO2 released into atmosphere from burning

Nutrient cycles interact when elements move between the atmosphere, soil, water, and living organisms

Elements change form as they cycle because when organisms need a certain element to survive, it is considered a nutrient

So organisms need nutrients to build tissues and carry out life functions