In this lesson we will learn about the Nitrogen cycle. It is one of the major nutrient cycles as listed in Ecology standard 6.d which states: Students will know how water, carbon, and nitrogen cycle between abiotic resources and organic matter in the ecosystem and how oxygen cycles through photosynthesis and respiration.
Introduction
Water carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorus are some of the most important substances for sustaining life. Any ecosystem must be able to cycle these elements into various forms to allow various organisms to utilize them. These cycles occur naturally through processes like photosynthesis in plants and respiration in animals and other organisms. Nitrogen is a key building block in a number of important molecules, such as nucleic acids, amino acids, and proteins. Without it, life on Earth would be impossible. While you are reading this, you are breathing in nitrogen. In fact, 80% of the air is made of nitrogen!
The key parts of the nitrogen cycles are photosynthesis, combustion, cellular respiration, and death and decomposition. Other key terms are nitrogen fixation, nitrification, assimilation, ammonification, and denitrification. There is a land nitrogen cycle and a water nitrogen cycle.
Nitrogen Cycle on Land
Assignment
In this lesson, you will submit a quiz, complete a group presentation and review peer presentations. Visit the links below to learn about how the cycle works, key components and human factors in disupting the cycle.
The Nitrogen Cycle as it relates to Carbon - video
Nitrogen Cycle: http://www.enviroliteracy.org/article.php/479.html
Carbon and Nitrogen Cycles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=R8-E6cDCr5U&feature=fvwp
Legumes can reduce need for Nitrogen Fertilizer: http://www.physorg.com/news189106072.html
Human Impact on the Nitrogen Cycle
Acid Oceans and Nitrogen Cycles: http://news.discovery.com/earth/acid-oceans-and-nitrogen-cycles.html
Nutrient overload: Unbalancing the global nitrogen cycle: http://www.wri.org/publication/content/8398
Quizzes
Take the following quiz as a practice quiz. Review the answers you missed .
Then, take the following quiz and email me the answers to each question written out in full sentence response.
Resources
To complete this assignment, you will need internet access, Flash Player to view the videos, gmail account to access the shared presentation project.
The following site provides several links to help complete your presentation.
Process
First, review the material seen in the video, images and other links listed in the assignment. Then take the two quizzes to make sur eyou are understanind the information.
Next, you will be placed in to groups of 3-4. Each group will create a slide presentation covering an assigned component of the Nitrogen cycle. Include key organisms that contribute to this process along with examples. The presentation should also include the form the nitrogen takes before and after this part of the process. Conclude with the effects humans are having on this part of the cycle if applicable. The final project should have at least 6 images, one pertinent video and 5 useful links filling a minimum of 12 slides. Use Google Presentations, so that all team members can access and contribute to the project. After one person sets up the presentation and adds the other group members, all will have access to the presentation to edit and add.
Next, you will be placed in to groups of 3-4. Each group will create a slide presentation covering an assigned component of the Nitrogen cycle. Include key organisms that contribute to this process along with examples. The presentation should also include the form the nitrogen takes before and after this part of the process. Conclude with the effects humans are having on this part of the cycle if applicable. The final project should have at least 6 images, one pertinent video and 5 useful links filling a minimum of 12 slides. Use Google Presentations, so that all team members can access and contribute to the project. After one person sets up the presentation and adds the other group members, all will have access to the presentation to edit and add.
Once complete and submitted, presentations will be available to the entire class and you will be required to comment on each of the other group’s presentation. Your remarks should point out specific strong and weak points in each presentation followed by your own assessment of how it could be improved.
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