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Cycles of Matter Introduction • Matter is made up of tiny particles called atoms. – Hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) are examples • A combination of two or more of these tiny particles that are joined and act as a unit is called a molecule. – Water H2O The Three Cycles • The important cycles of matter in an ecosystem include – water cycle – carbon and oxygen cycles – nitrogen cycle The Water Cycle • Water is essential for life • Water continually moves from the Earth’s surface to the atmosphere and back in a process known as the water cycle. • Transpiration- evaporation from leaves of plants. The Carbon and Oxygen Cycles • Carbon is an element that is found in all living things. • Carbon and Oxygen are cycled through the processes of photosynthesis and respiration • Plants take the carbon dioxide and use it to make glucose during photosynthesis • During respiration, mitochondria use oxygen to break down glucose for energy. The Nitrogen Cycle • Nitrogen is an element that has to be “fixed” before most organisms are able to use it. • The changing of free nitrogen gas to a useable form is called nitrogen fixation – Most nitrogen fixation is performed by bacteria that live in bumps called nodules on the roots of certain plants. – These plants are known as legumes and include clover, beans, peas, alfalfa, and peanuts. • Nitrogen returns to the environment through animal wastes which are broken down by decomposers. Roles of Bacteria in the Nitrogen Cycle • Nitrogen-fixing bacteria that live in nodules on the roots of plants change nitrogen gas into nitrogen compounds. • Bacteria that are decomposers recycle nitrogen compounds in the soil • Other bacteria release free nitrogen to the air. What would the role of animals be? – Consume nitrogen when eating plants, or organisms that eat plants – Return nitrogen to the soil through wastes Biogeography The study of where organisms live Continental Drift • Continents moving slowly over time • One factor that has affected how species are distributed across the earth Dispersal • Movement of organisms from one place to another • Caused by – Wind – Water – Living things Wind • Seeds • Small organisms • Spores Water • Things that float • Small organisms Other living things • Birds • Dogs • People – Kudzu; exotic species • Brought from China to prevent erosion • Now it is taking over and killing trees it grows on. • What type of relationship do the trees and Kudzu have? Limits to Dispersal • Physical Barriers – Water, Mountains, and deserts • Competition – Compete for resources with species that are already there • Climate – Can a palm tree live in Michigan?