Cycles of life and non-life
Matter and energy go round between living and non-living parts.
Nothing is wasted
A fallen leaf rots and the plant grows again from the soil.
What might this suggest about matter in nature?
What this lesson covers
The idea
A biogeochemical cycle is the cyclic movement of matter and energy between the abiotic and biotic components of the Earth, which recycles nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen and oxygen so they stay available to life.
Nothing is wasted
A fallen leaf rots and the plant grows again from the soil.
What might this suggest about matter in nature?
- It moves in cycles
- It disappears
- It stays in one place
Living and non-living
Put each in its group.
Round and round
Living things take matter and energy from the air, water, soil and rocks, and give them back. This goes on again and again, so the nutrients are not used up.
A biogeochemical cycle is the cyclic movement of matter and energy between the abiotic and biotic components of the Earth. It recycles nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen and oxygen so they stay available to life.
Notes
A biogeochemical cycle is the cyclic movement of matter and energy between abiotic and biotic components, recycling nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen and oxygen.
Check yourself
What is a biogeochemical cycle?
Which nutrients does this recycling keep available for life?
Which one is an abiotic component?
Living organisms constantly exchange matter and energy with …
- The movement of matter only between living things. The cycle runs between the non-living (abiotic) and living (biotic) components.
- The one-way flow of matter from soil to rocks. The movement is cyclic, so matter returns and is used again.
- The cyclic movement of matter and energy between the abiotic and biotic components of the Earth — correct. Yes!
- Carbon, nitrogen and oxygen — correct. Yes!
- Only the Sun's rays. Biogeochemical cycles recycle nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen and oxygen.
- Gamma rays and X-rays. These are kinds of radiation. The cycles recycle nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen and oxygen.
- Plants. Plants are living (biotic) components.
- Rocks — correct. Yes!
- Fungi. Fungi are living organisms (biotic).
- The Sun alone. They exchange matter and energy with the air, water, soil and rocks around them.
- Other planets. The chapter says they exchange matter and energy with the air, water, soil and rocks around them.
- The air, water, soil and rocks around them — correct. Yes!