Chapter 5: The Nonliving Environment

Section 1: Abiotic FactorsAbiotic Factors: “not” biotic factors, nonliving

Name 4 from the pic. Air Soil Rocks Water Sunlight Temperature Climate

AtmosphereAir contains:

78% Nitrogen21% Oxygen.03% Carbon Dioxide

Needed for Photosynthesis. The process that supports all life.

WaterEssential for life on earth.

Living organisms are 50-95% water.Water covers over 70% of earth’s surface,

however: Over 97% of it is saltwater in the oceans. Only 3% of the earth’s water is freshwater.

68% of this water is locked in glaciers. 30% is found in the ground Less than 0.3% of the freshwater on earth is in

lakes, rivers, swamps, and the atmosphere. AKA, usable water.

SoilMixture of minerals, rock particles,

decaying organisms, water, and air.Abiotic because it is mostly rocks and

minerals.Contains many biotic factors as well:

BacteriaFungusInsectsWorms

Sunlight and TemperatureSunlight is the original source of energy for earth.Used in photosynthesis. Eventually supports all life.

Temperature of a region is controlled by the sunlight.Latitude:

The closer to the equator, the more direct sunlight a region gets for more days per year.

ElevationLower temperature at higher elevations. Why?Air is thinner, therefore less molecules. Heat is the amount of energy that molecules have……..

Climate and WindAn area’s average weather conditionsTemperature and Precipitation: 2 key

componentsInfluence the type of life that inhabits any

ecosystem.

WindAlso a result of the sun.Wind is caused when molecules in an area of

the atmosphere are heated.

Abiotic Factors influencing Biotic Factors.

Abiotic

Biotic

Biotic

Biotic

Biotic Biotic

Biotic

Section 2: Cycles in NatureThe Water Cycle

Nitrogen Cycle: What is Nitrogen?Important ingredient in proteins of life.Essential part of our DNA chain.The most plentiful gas in the atmosphere.

(78%)Very few organisms can use N from the air.Nitrogen fixing bacteria in the soil form N

compounds that plants can use. These bacteria are found in the nodules (roots) of

soybeans, peas, and clover.Lightning also releases Atmospheric Nitrogen

to the rain and eventually soil to be used by plants. (5-8% )

The Nitrogen Cycle.

The Carbon CycleA cycle of carbon atoms between the living

and non-living parts of the ecosystems.

Section 3: Energy FlowPhotosynthesis vs. Chemosynthesis

Photo: the use of light by plants to produce energy rich molecules

Chemo: the use of chemicals by bacteria to produce energy rich molecules Deep sea ocean vents. No sunlight. Food webs begin with bacteria, not plants. Sulfur emitted by the volcanic vents is synthesized

by the bacteria into energy.

Energy Pyramid