Download Carbon and Nitrogen Cycling

Carbon and Nitrogen Cycling
Carbon Atoms
All living organisms are based on the carbon
atom.
 Carbon atoms continually move through
living organisms, the oceans, the
atmosphere, and the crust of the planet.
 The paths taken by carbon atoms through
this cycle are extremely complex, and may
take millions of years to come full circle.

Carbon Cycling Basics
Plants use carbon dioxide, water, and
sunlight to make sugar molecules and
oxygen.
 Animals take in oxygen and break down
sugar molecules releasing energy for the
animals life processes.
 Animal releases carbon dioxide.

Simple picture
How the plant does it……

Photosynthesis!

The process by which producers use the energy
from sunlight to produce sugar, which
consumers convert to "fuel“.
6H2O + 6CO2 ----------> C6H12O6+ 6O2

6 molecules of water + 6 molecules of carbon
dioxide = 1 molecule of sugar + 6 molecules of
oxygen
Nitrogen Atoms
All life requires nitrogen. (protein and DNA
are just a few uses)
 Air is 79% nitrogen gas (N2).

Nitrogen Cycling Basics
Most organisms cannot use nitrogen in the
form N2 or “Free Nitrogen”.
 It must be combined with other molecules or
“Fixed”.
 This is done by bacteria who live in “nodules”
on plant roots.


This is an example of mutualism!
Simple Picture
Remember……
Water, Carbon, and Nitrogen are all
necessary to living things.
 All three are types of matter.
 All three are constantly being cycled through
producers, consumers, decomposers, and
the environment.
