What goes around, comes
around
Biogeochemical cycles and you
Think about it!
What elements are you made of?
 Where did those molecules come from?
 Where will the elements go when you
decompose?
 Why are biogeochemical cycles
important to you?
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Biogeochemical cycles
Atoms move from biotic to abiotic and
back
 Reservoirs – points at which atoms
spend a significant time
 Processes – transform atoms through
stages and states
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Water cycle
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Importance:
Maintain homeostasis (temperature, pH)
 Dissolves solutes
 Cellular respiration makes energy in your
cells
 Aids in digestion
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So what sounds familiar?
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Processes
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Precipitation
Condensation
Evaporation
Transpiration
Runoff
infiltration
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Locations
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Ocean
Lake
Cloud
River
Grass
Deer
Human
Atmosphere
Spring
aquifer
Carbon cycle
Energy source (carbohydrates)
 Backbone of organic molecules (carbs,
proteins, lipids, nucleic acids)
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Carbon cycle
Act out the carbon cycle
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Processes
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Photosynthesis
Cellular respiration
Ingestion
Formation of fossil
fuels
Combustion
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Locations
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Plant
Animal
Atmosphere
Soil
ocean
Nitrogen cycle
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Present in all proteins (structural and
enzymatic) and nucleic acids (DNA and
RNA)
Legumes are the stars!
These are legumes, too!
Rhizobium bacteria in nodules on
legume roots start the cycle
The Nitrogen cycle
Nitrogen cycle game
Each team needs:
 Appendix A: The Nitrogen cycle game
 Appendix B: Nitrogen cycle game board
 TWO pennies per team
 One game piece (different shaped pasta)
for each team member.
 A different colored pencil for each team
member.
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Start in the atmosphere
 Flip both pennies
 Follow pathway as directed!
 Use your colored pencil to show the path
your atom is taking.
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So what just happened?
Label each arrow with the name of the
process (#1#3 is diffusion)
 How does this activity reflect the real
nitrogen cycle?
 How is does this cycle reflect the
conservation of matter? (Matter not
created or destroyed .. . . )
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Act out the Nitrogen cycle
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Processes
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Nitrogen fixation
Nitrification
Assimilation/uptake
Ingestion
Ammonification
Denitrification
diffusion
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Locations
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Atmosphere
Soil
Roots of legumes
Plants
Animals
Phosphorus cycle
Present in nucleic acids
 Critical mineral for bones and teeth
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Who cares?
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You do! Why?