Dice Roller for Nitrogen Cycle
Carbon Cycle
There are two necessary inputs in an ecosystem: energy and nutrients. There is a constant source of energy that life on earth gets and that source is the sun. This energy flows through an ecosystem. 90% of energy is lost as heat as it flows through each trophic level in an ecosystem.
Nutrients cycle through an ecosystem. Examples of nutrients are carbon and nitrogen. There is a limited amount of nutrients on this earth. Nutrients are recycled because, according to the first law of thermodynamics, matter can neither be created nor destroyed. Decomposers are the key to recycling most nutrients.
Organisms on earth are carbon based. Therefore carbon is essential for life. The movement of carbon from the non-living environment-to-living things and back-to-the non-living environment is called the carbon cycle. Carbon is removed from the atmosphere by producers and is made usable for the remaining living community through the process of photosynthesis. Most animals get the carbon they need by eating these producers. Carbon is returned back into the atmosphere with respiration as animals exhale carbon dioxide as a byproduct of cellular respiration. Also, as living things die and decompose, some of the carbon is returned to the atmosphere. Under certain conditions, decaying organisms form fossil fuels which are burned to produce power. This burning of fossil fuels also returns carbon to the atmosphere.
Nutrients cycle through an ecosystem. Examples of nutrients are carbon and nitrogen. There is a limited amount of nutrients on this earth. Nutrients are recycled because, according to the first law of thermodynamics, matter can neither be created nor destroyed. Decomposers are the key to recycling most nutrients.
Organisms on earth are carbon based. Therefore carbon is essential for life. The movement of carbon from the non-living environment-to-living things and back-to-the non-living environment is called the carbon cycle. Carbon is removed from the atmosphere by producers and is made usable for the remaining living community through the process of photosynthesis. Most animals get the carbon they need by eating these producers. Carbon is returned back into the atmosphere with respiration as animals exhale carbon dioxide as a byproduct of cellular respiration. Also, as living things die and decompose, some of the carbon is returned to the atmosphere. Under certain conditions, decaying organisms form fossil fuels which are burned to produce power. This burning of fossil fuels also returns carbon to the atmosphere.
Drawings
Create an entry in your journal title "Carbon Cycle". To the best of your ability, draw the following diagrams in your journal. Be sure to include all labels.