Biogeochemical Cycles

The Carbon Cycle and energy flow through the ecosystem

Slide Notes

__________________________ Plants use light energy to build glucose

molecules during photosynthesis.
• Energy flows through an
ecosystem.
• Energy flows through the food
chain and food webs.
• Energy is transformed from
light to chemical energy to
heat energy.
• Carbon atoms are neither
created nor destroyed, they
are recycled through the
biosphere, hydrosphere,
lithosphere and the
atmosphere.

Plants use glucose they make. Respiration

releases chemical energy
Plants are called _________________________
because they use the glucose that they make.

Animals eat plants and other animal products

to obtain glucose. Animals are called
______________________________________.

We know that energy is released because it is

sensed as heat.

• All organisms cycle carbon atoms. How do we replace energy that is lost form the
• The energy in glucose is released ecosystem?
during cellular respiration.
• CO2 is released during cellular
respiration.

Morritt for DOE GIS

Morritt for DOE GIS