Ecosystems - Biogeochemical Cycles

Learning Targets: / Date: / Evidence: / Date:
INQC, H 1. Generate a logical conclusion supported by evidence and provide a scientific reason from credible sources to explain each of the eco-column results. (5 references)
INQD 2. Write a detailed lab report on the eco-column.
PS2Dand E 3. Explain the meaning of a chemical formula for ions or molecules (e.g., CH2O, NH4+).
SYSA, LS2A 4.Describe the cycle of carbon through ecosystems.
SYSA, LS2A 5.Describe the cycle of nitrogen through ecosystems
SYSC, LS2A 6.Describe examples of matter cycling that can affect the health of an ecosystem (composting, crop rotation, worm bins, fertilizer runoff, bioaccumulation). Predict possible consequences of an environmental change.
SYSC 7. Predict the result of increasing or decreasing CO2 in an aqueous solution (water in the eco-column) and explain the resulting change in pH and the change in aquatic biotic factors.This is an example of positive feedback which increases the disturbance to a system.
LS2A 8. Describe the transfers and transformations of matter and/or energy in each biogeochemical cycle.
LS2E 9. Calculate the biodiversity of two ecosystems, then identify and explain reasons for these differences.

Discussion Question:

Discuss with your parents/guardians and write a one paragraph summary of the conversation in your notebook, and then have them write their initials next to the summary?

What would be the positive and negative consequences of shifting America’s reliance on fossil fuels for our vehicles to another fuel source such as biofuels and/or electricity?

VOCABULARY:
  1. ______– the different kinds of organisms in an ecosystem.
  2. ______– pure chemical substance composed of all the same atoms.
  3. ______- nonliving factors in an environment.
  4. ______– a substance that can be burned for heat energy, such as coal, oil, or natural gas, formed from the decayed remains of prehistoric animals and plants.
  5. ______– the ability of a given substance to dissolve in a liquid
  6. ______- chemical reactions involved in the conversion of sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to energy and sugar in plants
  7. ______the biogeochemical cycle that describes transformation of carbon and carbon-containing compounds in nature (CaCO3, CO2, HCO3−, CH4, R-CH3)
  8. ______a cycle that describes the transportation of nitrogen and nitrogen-containing compounds in nature (N2, NH4+, NH3, NO2-, N2O, R-NH2)
  9. ______- measure of the concentration of H+ (Hydrogen ions). (power of Hydrogen
  10. ______- notation that shows what elements a compound contains and the ratio of atoms or ions in these elements in the compound
  11. ______- A pathway by which a chemical element moves through both living and non-living components of an ecosystem.
  12. ______– diatomic molecule which composes 21% of dry air
  13. ______- A white, insoluble solid, occurring naturally as chalk, limestone, marble, and calcite, and forming mollusk shells and stony corals.
  14. ______- A colorless, odorless gas, produced by burning carbon and organic compounds and by respiration and absorbed by plants in photosynthesis.
  15. ______– alkaline which CO2 is converted to in the body.
  16. ______- A colorless, odorless flammable gas, CH4, that is the main constituent of natural gas
  17. ______– Common names sugar and starches. Form of chemical energy for cells, broken down into glucose.
  18. ______– diatomic molecule which composes 78% of dry air
  19. ______- A colorless gas, NH3, with a characteristic pungent smell. It dissolves in water to form a strong alkaline solution.
  20. ______– compound used by plants for nutrients.
  21. ______– large biomolecue made of amino acids and used as structural material for cells.
  22. ______– process of burning, producing heat and light
  23. ______– building living tissue
  24. ______– process which bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen to usable forms for plants and animals

VOCABULARY KEY:
  1. Biodiversity – the different kinds of organisms in an ecosystem.
  2. Element – pure chemical substance composed of all the same atoms.
  3. Abiotic - nonliving factors in an environment.
  4. Fossil fuels – a substance that can be burned for heat energy, such as coal, oil, or natural gas, formed from the decayed remains of prehistoric animals and plants.
  5. Solubility – the ability of a given substance to dissolve in a liquid
  6. Photosynthesis - chemical reactions involved in the conversion of sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to energy and sugar in plants
  7. Carbon cycle_the biogeochemical cycle that describes transformation of carbon and carbon-containing compounds in nature (CaCO3, CO2, HCO3−, CH4, R-CH3)
  8. Nitrogen cycle_ a cycle that describes the transportation of nitrogen and nitrogen-containing compounds in nature (N2, NH4+, NH3, NO2-, N2O, R-NH2)
  9. pH - measure of the concentration of H+ (Hydrogen ions). (power of Hydrogen
  10. Chemical formula - notation that shows what elements a compound contains and the ratio of atoms or ions in these elements in the compound
  11. Biogeochemical cycle- A pathway by which a chemical element moves through both living and non-living components of an ecosystem.
  12. Oxygen – O2, diatomic molecule which composes 21% of dry air
  13. Calcium carbonate –CaCO3, A white, insoluble solid, occurring naturally as chalk, limestone, marble, and calcite, and forming mollusk shells and stony corals.
  14. Carbon dioxide –CO2, A colorless, odorless gas, produced by burning carbon and organic compounds and by respiration and absorbed by plants in photosynthesis.
  15. Bicarbonate ion – HCO3-, alkaline which CO2 is converted to in the body.
  16. Methane –CH4, A colorless, odorless flammable gasthat is the main constituent of natural gas
  17. Carbohydrate – CH2O, Common names sugar and starches. Form of chemical energy for cells, broken down into glucose.
  18. Atmospheric Nitrogen – N2, diatomic molecule which composes 78% of dry air
  19. Ammonia - NH3, A colorless gas with a characteristic pungent smell. It dissolves in water to form a strong alkaline (basic) solution.
  20. Nitrates – NO3-, compound used by plants for nutrients.
  21. Protein – R-NH2, large biomolecue made of amino acids and used as structural material for cells.
  22. Combustion – process of burning, producing heat and light
  23. Assimilation – building living tissue
  24. Nitrogen Fixation – process which bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen to usable forms for plants