Nutrient Cycle Simulations Name

Nutrient Cycle SimulationsName:

You will be exploring three nutrient cycles that are critical for life on Earth (Carbon, Nitrogen and Phosphorus Cycle). For each cycle there are two links to simulations/animations that you will follow.

Carbon Cycle:

Before you go to the simulations explain the significance of carbon to living organisms?

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Go to Simulation # 1:

a)What are the two categories on the top right of the interactive? (grey and blue dots). List these categories and give 3 examples for each:

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b)According the simulation, what is the biggest store (or sink) of carbon? How much carbon is stored here?

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c)Explain in your own words, the carbon dioxide exchange that is described in the video?

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d)What is the process called that releases carbon dioxide from plants and animals?

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e)What role do decomposers have in the carbon cycle?

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f)What are two human activities that have large impacts on the carbon cycle?

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g)What does the interactive say about the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

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Go to to play the carbon cycle game:

Nitrogen Cycle:

Before you go to the simulations explain the significance of nitrogen to living organisms?

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Go to Simulation #1:

a)Explain why can’t plants and animals just get their nitrogen from the atmosphere if there is so much there?

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b)What must nitrogen be converted to and what is responsible for this?

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c)Explain the process of nitrification. Why is this necessary?

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d)Bacteria are involved in a process called ‘denitrification’ (not mentioned in video) – explain how this process converts the nitrates back to nitrogen gas.

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Do the quiz!

Go to Simulation # 2:

a)What is the term they use to describe how nitrogen is “______” into usable form.

b)What is the factor in the atmosphere that can ‘fix’ nitrogen gas N2 into nitrate NO3- ______

c)How do animals eventually get their nitrogen?

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Phosphorus Cycle:

Before you go to the simulations explain the significance of phosphorus to living organisms? ______

Go to Simulation # 1:

a)Where are the main stores of phosphorus found and how is it released ?

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b)How does the phosphorus get from within the Earth’s crust to animals? ______

c)What is a main difference between phosphorus and the other two cycles we have looked at (carbon and nitrogen) ______

Go to Simulation #2:

d)How would phosphorus enter a body of water?

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e)How do birds contribute to the phosphate cycle?

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f)Explain how human activities have affected the phosphorus cycle. ______