Carbon Cycle (34)

Question 1

What is the carbon cycle?

Answer 1

Process carbon cycled between atmosphere, land, water, organisms.

Carbon enters short-term cycle in ecosystem, when producers, convert carbon dioxide in atmosphere into carbohydrates during photosynthesis.

Question 2

Why is carbon an essential element in nature?

Answer 2

Forms more compounds than any other element

Forms basis to all plant/animal life ( basis of organic molecules, carbohydrates, fats, proteins)

4th most abundant element in universe by mass and 2nd most abundant in human body

0,04%

Question 3

What are the processes of the carbon cycle?

Answer 3

Photosynthesis
Respiration
Nutrition
Decomposition
Fossilization
Combustion

Question 4

Photosynthesis?

Answer 4

Green plants remove carbon dioxide during photosynthesis.

During, carbon from CO2 fixed into carbohydrates (glucose, starch molecules)

Question 5

Respiration?

Answer 5

Cellular respiration, carbohydrates broken down to form ATP and carbon, in form of carbon dioxide, released into atmosphere.

Question 6

Nutrition?

Answer 6

Animals cant use carbon from CO2 in air. Animals eat plants/other animals, gets carbon during nutrition, because carbohydrates, fats, proteins contain carbon.
Animals use glucose during respiration, release carbon dioxide into air.

Question 7

Decomposition?

Answer 7

Plants/animals die, organic remains broken down by decomposers (fungi, putrefying bacteria) during decomposition. Carbon becomes part of decomposers bodies which release it as carbon dioxide during respiration.

Question 8

Fossilisation?

Answer 8

Process where dead organisms are decomposed by bacteria/fungi, and become covered in layers of sediments. Pressure of layers of sediment will result in decomposed organism becoming crude oil and coal (millions years)

Question 9

Combustion?

Answer 9

Humans impact carbon cycle during combustion of any type fossil fuel, (oil, coal, natural gas) when burn fossil fuels to get E, CO2 released during combustion process.