B 8.2 The carbon cycle Flashcards
(10 cards)
What is the carbon cycle?
The carbon cycle describes how carbon is continuously recycled through living organisms and the environment.
What process removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?
Photosynthesis.
How does photosynthesis affect the carbon cycle?
Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air and use it to make glucose during photosynthesis.
How does carbon enter food chains?
Animals eat plants that contain carbon compounds made during photosynthesis.
Name three processes that return carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.
Respiration, decomposition, and combustion.
How does respiration contribute to the carbon cycle?
Plants, animals, and microorganisms release carbon dioxide when they respire.
What is decomposition and how does it return carbon to the atmosphere?
Decomposition is the breakdown of dead organisms by microorganisms, which release carbon dioxide through respiration.
What is combustion and how does it affect the carbon cycle?
Combustion is the burning of fossil fuels or biomass, which releases stored carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
How do human activities increase carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere?
By burning fossil fuels and deforestation, which reduce carbon absorption and increase CO₂ emissions.
Why is the carbon cycle important for ecosystems?
It recycles carbon, which is essential for life processes and prevents waste build-up in the environment.
