The Humane Biome● human body cells: eukaryotic 10^13● human microbiota 10^14● only 10 yrs ago, NIH (National Institute of Health)● enzymes break down large complex molecules, such as polysaccharides (“many” “sugars”), DNA, RNA, or proteins, in order to fit throughModels of nutrient cycling● includes reservoirs of elements, & processes that transfer elements between reservoirs.● elements cycle between organic & inorganic reservoirs● organic compounds are mostly made of carbon*Review Diagram on PPT*Reservoir A, organic materials available as nutrients: living animals, plants, etc.- fossilizationReservoir B, organic materials unavailable as nutrients: peat, coal, oil- burning of fossil fuelsReservoir C, inorganic materials available as nutrients: Atmosphere, water, soil- formation of sedimentary rock- assimilation, photosynthesisReservoir D, inorganic materials unavailable as nutrients: rocks, minerals in mountains, etc.- weathering, erosion Focus on Four● humans can only do 2-3 days without water● in studying cycling of water, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, ecologists focus on four factors● 77% of air we breathe is made of nitrogen gas, N2 (diatonic nitrogen)The Water Cycle- essential to all organisms- liquid water is primary physical phase used by living organisms- 97% in ocean, 2% glaciers/ice caps, 1% groundwaterSublimation = solid to gas without passing liquid phase.The Carbon Cycle- carbon-based organic molecules essential to all organisms- carbon reservoir include fossil fuels- CO2 taken and released through photosynthesis & respirationThe Nitrogen Cycle- Nitrogen = component of amino acids, proteins, nucleotides, & nucleic acids- main reservoir of nitrogen is atmospheric (N2), though must be converted to NH4 + NO3- for uptake by plants, via nitrogen fixation by only certain bacteria- organic nitrogen (amino acids) is decomposed to NH4+ by ammonification, and NH4+ is decomposed to NO3- by nitrification- Denitrification converts NO3- back to N2- “fix” nitrogen gas by sending energy into it, and make nitrate by oxidizing it.**Understand the full process of nitrification, etc. Review the
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