Cycles of Matter

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Essential Nutrients Noun

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[uh-sen-shuhl noo-tree-uhnts]

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Essential Nutrients

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Elements like oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen, required in large amounts by organisms to build the compounds of living tissue.

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Example: This diagram shows how large protein molecules from food are broken down into smaller amino acids, which are essential nutrients the body uses as building blocks.

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Biogeochemical Cycle Noun

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[bahy-oh-jee-oh-kem-i-kuhl sahy-kuhl]

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Biogeochemical Cycle

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A process where elements and compounds are passed from one organism to another and throughout different parts of the biosphere.

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Example: This diagram shows how elements like nitrogen move through living things (bio), the soil (geo), and chemical processes, cycling nutrients through an ecosystem.

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Evaporation Noun

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[ih-vap-uh-rey-shuhn]

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Evaporation

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The process where liquid water changes into water vapor, a gas, and enters the atmosphere from sources like oceans.

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Example: Heat energy from the sun causes liquid water to change into a gas, called water vapor, which then rises into the air.

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Transpiration Noun

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[tran-spuh-rey-shuhn]

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Transpiration

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The process where water evaporates from the leaves of plants, releasing water vapor into the atmosphere.

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Example: This diagram shows a magnified view of a leaf's surface, where pores called stomata open to release water vapor (H2O) into the air.

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Condensation Noun

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[kon-den-sey-shuhn]

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Condensation

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The process where water vapor in the air cools and changes into tiny liquid water droplets, which then form clouds.

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Example: When warm, moist air (gas) touches a cold surface like glass, it cools down and turns into liquid water droplets.

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Precipitation Noun

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[pri-sip-i-tey-shuhn]

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Precipitation

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Any form of water, including rain, snow, sleet, or hail, that falls from clouds to the Earth's surface.

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Example: This image shows precipitation as rain falling from clouds, which is one part of the larger water cycle.

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Runoff Noun

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[ruhn-of]

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Runoff

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Precipitation that flows over the land's surface before entering a body of water like a river, stream, or ocean.

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Example: Rainwater flows over surfaces like roofs and driveways, picking up pollutants such as oil and trash, and carrying them into rivers and lakes.

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Groundwater Noun

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[ground-waw-ter]

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Groundwater

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Water that has seeped into the soil and is stored in underground layers of rock or soil called reservoirs.

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Example: This diagram shows how rain soaks into the ground (infiltration) and is stored in a layer called an aquifer, filling the spaces between rocks.

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Nutrient Noun

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[noo-tree-uhnt]

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Nutrient

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A chemical substance that an organism requires to sustain life, build tissues, and perform essential functions.

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Example: This diagram shows how nutrients are cycled: decomposers break down dead matter, releasing nutrients into the soil for plants to absorb and grow.

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Fossil Fuels Noun

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[fos-uhl fyoo-uhls]

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Fossil Fuels

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Carbon-based energy sources like coal, oil, and natural gas, formed from the buried remains of ancient organisms.

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Example: This diagram shows how fossil fuels, like oil and gas, are trapped in layers deep underground beneath impervious rock and are extracted for energy.