Carbon cycle Flashcards
1
Q
Carbon cycle
A
transfers carbon through the atmosphere, lithosphere, biosphere and hydrosphere
2
Q
Volcanic eruptions
A
release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
3
Q
Carbon sequestration
A
process by which carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere by plants and oceans
4
Q
Cellular respiration
A
- animals eat the plants and take in O2 to power cellular respiration, and then release CO2 into the atmosphere
- works with photosynthesis to act as carbon transfer between organisms
5
Q
Photosynthesis
A
- plant cells absorb solar energy, carbon dioxide and water and covert them into oxygen, water and glucose(energy)
- works with cellular respiration to act as a carbon transfer between two organism
6
Q
Decomposition
A
- when organisms die, their organic matter becomes available for decomposition by decomposers
- break down complex organic molecules (like glucose) into simpler compounds (such as CO2)
7
Q
Fossilisation
A
- involves the burial and transformation of organic matter into fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas
- removes carbon from the cycle as it is transformed into fossil fuels
- once fossil fuels are formed, they remain underground until extracted
8
Q
Unavailable carbon
A
- involves the burial and transformation of organic matter into fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas.
- removes carbon from the cycle as it is transformed into fossil fuels
- they remain underground until extracted once the fossil fuel is formed
9
Q
Combustion of fossil fuel
A
- burning of fossil fuels during human activity which releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
10
Q
Limestone weathering
A
- primarily composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3)
- calcium carbonate reacts with acids found in rainwater and soil
- produces CO2 which is released into the atmosphere
11
Q
Deforestation and fires
A
when trees and vegetation are cut down, burned or left to decay, the carbon stored in their tissues and cells is released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide
12
Q
A
