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?

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

Water cycle

Importance:Maintain homeostasis (temperature, pH)Dissolves solutesCellular respiration makes energy in your

cellsAids in digestion

So what sounds familiar?

Processes Precipitation Condensation Evaporation Transpiration Runoff infiltration

Locations Ocean Lake Cloud River Grass Deer Human Atmosphere Spring aquifer

Carbon cycle

Energy source (carbohydrates)Backbone of organic molecules (carbs,

proteins, lipids, nucleic acids)

Carbon cycle

Nitrogen cycle

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

Phosphorus cycle

Present in nucleic acidsCritical mineral for bones and teeth

Who cares?

You do! Why?