Post Assignment#3: Audrey Malone

     Our small broccoli plants have changed throughout time in many different ways. For example they have grown in the sense that they have gained some bigger leaves and grown a little taller. Although they haven't changed too much in their size their leaves have gained some darker shades of green on their leaves. Also physically they have thicker stems and will continue to grow. We now have a total of two healthy broccoli plants living in the garden.
     To begin our plants take part in the water cycle because as we water our plants they absorb the water from in the roots and preform transpiration. Also they can get water from other places for example they can get water from rain. Although there has not been much although that is a possibility. Also they could get water from other people who have watered the broccoli. Overall water is important to the plants because they use the water to do photosynthesis. Although the broccoli can also collect water from the leaves of the plants which drip down into the soil and the plants are able to absorb the water taken in by the roots, and broccoli can collect water from being watered by humans as well.
     Next the plants contribute to the carbon cycle by practicing photosynthesis. Where they take in the carbon dioxide and use the carbon for glycerol which later becomes ATP and a by product of this process is oxygen which humans use to breathe. Lastly our plants are helping the nitrogen cycle because they take in nitrogen through the soil and use it for nutrients. Without plants in the ecosystem the carbon dioxide in the air would most likely pile up and become fatal to humans. An example is fossil fuels contributing carbon dioxide to the air, and because of that the air is polluted with the carbon dioxide becoming dangerous.
     Next, our broccoli plants take part in the nitrogen cycle everyday. The nitrogen cycle is important because it is part of amino acids. Plants play an important role by collecting nitrogen from the soil. Also when the broccoli plants die they will release nitrogen back into the soil when they decompose. Therefore the nitrogen will be recycled, so the nitrogen cycle can start again.
     All in all our broccoli plants contribute to not only just for food later on, but also now through the many cycles they participate in, and what they contribute to the environment. As you can see not only our broccoli plants, but all other plants are important to the ecosystem we have created in our garden.