Unit 2: Chemistry + Macromolecules Flashcards
Reservior
- Where the majority of a nutrient is stored
- can be abiotic (non- living), or biotic (living)
Decomposers
“Feed” by chemically breaking down organic matter (bacteria and fungi).
Producers
Use solar or chemical energy to produce their own “food” (plants).
Consumers
Rely on other organisms for energy and nutrients (animals/humans).
Nitrogen Cycle
Abiotic Source: Atmospheric N₂ (Nitrogen Gas)
↓ (Nitrogen Fixation):
decomposers - Bacteria (converts N₂ to usable forms like ammonia)
↓
producers - Plant Uptake (plants absorb nitrogen in the form of nitrates and ammonia)
↓
Proteins & DNA (plants incorporate nitrogen into proteins and DNA)
↓
consumers - Human Consumption (humans consume plants or animals)
↓
decomposers - Decomposition (organic matter broken down)
↓
Denitrification (conversion of nitrates back to N₂ gas)
Phosphorous Cycle
Abiotic Source
(Phosphorus in rocks and soil)
↓
Weathering
(Phosphorus released into the soil and water through weathering of rocks)
↓
producers - Plant Uptake
(Plants absorb phosphorus from the soil)
↓
consumers - Human Consumption
(Humans consume plants or animals that have absorbed phosphorus)
↓
decomposers - Decomposition
(Phosphorus is returned to the soil through breaking down these dead organisms)
Carbon Cycle
Photosynthesis (producer task): Plants absorb CO2 from the atmosphere
↓
Consumer tasks:
Human Consumption: Humans and animals consume plants (which contain carbohydrates).
+
Cellular Respiration: Both humans and animals release CO2 back into the atmosphere as a byproduct.
↓
Decomposition: When organisms die, decomposers break down their bodies, returning CO2 back to the soil or atmosphere.
↓
Abiotic Sources: CO2 exists in the atmosphere and soil and can be taken up again by plants during photosynthesis.
Water Cycle
Water (H2O) is the starting point for the cycle (abiotic source = groundwater)
↓
Evaporation occurs as water moves from bodies of water into the atmosphere.
↓
Condensation happens when gaseous water turns to liquid water
↓
Precipitation is when water then falls back to Earth and creates Runoff c
↓
Absorption occurs when plants take up water from the soil
↓
Transpiration is the release of water vapor from plants back into the atmosphere.
Carbon Cycle Importance
Importance: Carbon (C) atoms are found in all living things as well as fossil fuels, plastics, etc. medicines
Phosphorous Cycle Importance
Importance: Phosphorus is a key part of cell membranes, RNA, DNA, ATP and ADP
Nitrogen Cycle Importance
-Essential in proteins, DNA, and RNA
-N makes up 78% of our atmosphere
Water Cycle Importance
Importance: Water is involved in nearly all environmental systems
Ionic Compound (Ionic bond)
Positive ions (charged atoms) are attracted to negative ions (usually between metals and non-metals.
Example: NaCl
Polar
An uneven sharing of electrons within a covalent bond. Example: O-H (2 non-metals with different electronegativity)
Non-polar
An even sharing of electrons within a covalent bond. Example: Cl-Cl (2 nonmetals with similar electronegativity)
