Ecosystems - Biogeochemical Cycles
LEARNING TARGETS:
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Date:
Evidence:
Date:
INQC, H 1. Generate a logical conclusion supported by evidence and
provide a scientific reason from credible sources to explain each of the
eco-column results. (5 references)
INQD 2. Write a detailed lab report on the eco-column.
PS2Dand E 3. Explain the meaning of a chemical formula for ions or
molecules (e.g., CH2O, NH4+).
SYSA, LS2A 4. Describe the cycle of carbon through ecosystems.
SYSA, LS2A 5. Describe the cycle of nitrogen through ecosystems
SYSC, LS2A 6. Describe examples of matter cycling that can affect the
health of an ecosystem (composting, crop rotation, worm bins, fertilizer
runoff, bioaccumulation). Predict possible consequences of an
environmental change.
SYSC 7. Predict the result of increasing or decreasing CO2 in an aqueous
solution (water in the eco-column) and explain the resulting change in pH
and the change in aquatic biotic factors. This is an example of positive
feedback which increases the disturbance to a system.
LS2A 8. Describe the transfers and transformations of matter and/or
energy in each biogeochemical cycle.
LS2E 9. Calculate the biodiversity of two ecosystems, then identify and
explain reasons for these differences.
Discussion Question:
Discuss with your parents/guardians and write a one paragraph summary of the conversation in
your notebook, and then have them write their initials next to the summary?
What would be the positive and negative consequences of shifting America’s reliance on fossil
fuels for our vehicles to another fuel source such as biofuels and/or electricity?
Ecosystems - Biogeochemical Cycles
VOCABULARY:
1. _______________ – the different kinds of organisms in an ecosystem.
2. _______________ – pure chemical substance composed of all the same atoms.
3. _______________ - nonliving factors in an environment.
4. _______________– a substance that can be burned for heat energy, such as coal, oil, or natural gas,
formed from the decayed remains of prehistoric animals and plants.
5. _______________ – the ability of a given substance to dissolve in a liquid
6. _______________ - chemical reactions involved in the conversion of sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water
to energy and sugar in plants
7. ________________the biogeochemical cycle that describes transformation of carbon and carboncontaining compounds in nature (CaCO3, CO2, HCO3−, CH4, R-CH3)
8. ________________ a cycle that describes the transportation of nitrogen and nitrogen-containing
compounds in nature (N2, NH4+, NH3, NO2-, N2O, R-NH2)
9. _______________ - measure of the concentration of H+ (Hydrogen ions). (power of Hydrogen
10. _______________- notation that shows what elements a compound contains and the ratio of atoms or
ions in these elements in the compound
11. _______________- A pathway by which a chemical element moves through both living and non-living
components of an ecosystem.
12. _______________ – diatomic molecule which composes 21% of dry air
13. _______________- A white, insoluble solid, occurring naturally as chalk, limestone, marble, and calcite,
and forming mollusk shells and stony corals.
14. _______________- A colorless, odorless gas, produced by burning carbon and organic compounds and by
respiration and absorbed by plants in photosynthesis.
15. _______________– alkaline which CO2 is converted to in the body.
16. _______________ - A colorless, odorless flammable gas, CH4, that is the main constituent of natural gas
17. _______________ – Common names sugar and starches. Form of chemical energy for cells, broken down
into glucose.
18. _______________– diatomic molecule which composes 78% of dry air
19. _______________ - A colorless gas, NH3, with a characteristic pungent smell. It dissolves in water to form
a strong alkaline solution.
20. _______________ – compound used by plants for nutrients.
21. _______________ – large biomolecue made of amino acids and used as structural material for cells.
22. _______________ – process of burning, producing heat and light
23. _______________ – building living tissue
24. _______________– process which bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen to usable forms for
plants and animals
Ecosystems - Biogeochemical Cycles
VOCABULARY KEY:
1. Biodiversity – the different kinds of organisms in an ecosystem.
2. Element – pure chemical substance composed of all the same atoms.
3. Abiotic - nonliving factors in an environment.
4. Fossil fuels – a substance that can be burned for heat energy, such as coal, oil, or natural gas, formed from
the decayed remains of prehistoric animals and plants.
5. Solubility – the ability of a given substance to dissolve in a liquid
6. Photosynthesis - chemical reactions involved in the conversion of sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to
energy and sugar in plants
7. Carbon cycle_the biogeochemical cycle that describes transformation of carbon and carbon-containing
compounds in nature (CaCO3, CO2, HCO3−, CH4, R-CH3)
8. Nitrogen cycle_ a cycle that describes the transportation of nitrogen and nitrogen-containing compounds
in nature (N2, NH4+, NH3, NO2-, N2O, R-NH2)
9. pH - measure of the concentration of H+ (Hydrogen ions). (power of Hydrogen
10. Chemical formula - notation that shows what elements a compound contains and the ratio of atoms or
ions in these elements in the compound
11. Biogeochemical cycle- A pathway by which a chemical element moves through both living and non-living
components of an ecosystem.
12. Oxygen – O2, diatomic molecule which composes 21% of dry air
13. Calcium carbonate – CaCO3, A white, insoluble solid, occurring naturally as chalk, limestone, marble, and
calcite, and forming mollusk shells and stony corals.
14. Carbon dioxide – CO2, A colorless, odorless gas, produced by burning carbon and organic compounds and
by respiration and absorbed by plants in photosynthesis.
15. Bicarbonate ion – HCO3-, alkaline which CO2 is converted to in the body.
16. Methane – CH4, A colorless, odorless flammable gas that is the main constituent of natural gas
17. Carbohydrate – CH2O, Common names sugar and starches. Form of chemical energy for cells, broken
down into glucose.
18. Atmospheric Nitrogen – N2, diatomic molecule which composes 78% of dry air
19. Ammonia - NH3, A colorless gas with a characteristic pungent smell. It dissolves in water to form a strong
alkaline (basic) solution.
20. Nitrates – NO3-, compound used by plants for nutrients.
21. Protein – R-NH2, large biomolecue made of amino acids and used as structural material for cells.
22. Combustion – process of burning, producing heat and light
23. Assimilation – building living tissue
24. Nitrogen Fixation – process which bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen to usable forms for
plants