Final answer:
In the biogeochemical cycle, energy is released or consumed during the transformation of atoms and molecules. Matter is not created nor destroyed; it is recycled within the ecosystem. The energy involved in anabolic and catabolic reactions within organisms' metabolism is indicative of the conservation of energy principle.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the biogeochemical cycle, atoms and molecules undergo various transformations and these processes result in energy being released or consumed. During these biogeochemical cycles, matter is conserved and recycled, which means no new matter is created nor is there a surplus. Instead, elements like carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur change forms and may exist in different locations such as atmosphere, water, or within the Earth's crust due to geologic activities. Chemical reactions in living organisms, including anabolic and catabolic reactions, involve the transfer of energy. For example, in catabolic reactions, bonds between larger molecules break, releasing energy and smaller molecules. In contrast, anabolic reactions build larger molecules from smaller ones, often consuming energy in the process. Cellular respiration is a crucial biological process where carbohydrates are broken down with the release of energy, which is stored in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), while the complete matter is conserved.