Nutrient Cycles Notes
Water Cycle
• Condensation - when tiny droplets of
water form clouds
• Precipitation - when water is returned to
the ground (rain, sleet, snow, hail)
• Evaporation - when water changes from
liquid form to an atmospheric gas
• Biological
– Transpiration - when water is released from
the leaves of plants into the atmosphere
– Root Uptake – when plants absorb water
from the ground
The Water Cycle
Section 3-3
The Water Cycle
Condensation
Precipitation
Evaporation
Transpiration
Runoff
Seepage
Root
Uptake
Nitrogen Cycle
• Nitrogen Fixation
– Bacteria have a symbiotic relationship with
plants.
– They can take Nitrogen from non-living
sources and convert it into usable form for
living organisms.
– Nitrogen is passed through the food chain
• Denitrification
– when other bacteria in the soil convert nitrates
into nitrogen gas
Nitrogen Cycle
N2 in
Atmosphere
NH3
NO3and NO2-
Carbon Cycle
• Photosynthesis
– 6CO2 + 6H2O -> C6H12O6 + 6O2
– Carbon dioxide required
– Releases oxygen
• Respiration
– C6H12O6 + 6O2 -> 6CO2 + 6H2O
– Requires oxygen
– releases carbon dioxide
• Decomposition
CO2 in air
CO2 in ocean