1.2 The Flow of Matter

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Biogeochemical Cycle

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The pathway through which a chemical substance (like water or carbon) moves through the living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) parts of Earth.

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Reservoir

Back

A place or component of an ecosystem where matter is stored for a period of time. Examples include oceans, the atmosphere, or forests.

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Producer

Back

An organism, like a plant, that creates its own food, usually through photosynthesis. Producers form the base of the food web.

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Consumer

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An organism that obtains energy by feeding on other organisms.

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Decomposer

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An organism, such as bacteria or fungi, that breaks down dead organic material, returning essential nutrients to the soil.

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Evaporation

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The process where liquid water heats up and turns into a gas (water vapor), rising into the atmosphere.

Front

Condensation

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The process where water vapor in the air cools down and turns back into liquid water droplets, forming clouds.

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Precipitation

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Water that falls from clouds back to Earth in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

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Transpiration

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The process where plants absorb water through their roots and then release water vapor from their leaves into the atmosphere.

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Aquifer

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An underground layer of rock or sediment that holds and can transmit groundwater.