Introduction To Carbon Cycle

Question 1

Organic carbon

Answer 1

Type found in living organisms such as plants and trees

Question 2

Inorganic carbon

Answer 2

Found in non-living things eg sedimentary rocks

Question 3

Carbon compound

Answer 3

Compound with carbon in it
Carbon forms more compounds than any other element

Question 4

Why is carbon essential?

Answer 4

Carbon is one of the most chemically versatile elements
Found in all life forms, sedimentary rocks, diamonds, graphite

Question 5

Importance of carbon compound

Answer 5

CO2- atmosphere, soil, oceans
CH4- sedimentary rocks, soils
CaCO3- skeletons of marine creatures, oceans

Question 6

Where is carbon stored on the planet?

Answer 6

Stores in marine and sedimentary rocks
Large amount also stored in the ocean

Question 7

How do organisms acquire carbon

Answer 7

Ecosystems gain carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
Organisms use photosynthesis to convert carbon dioxide

Question 8

What happens to carbon that enters ocean water

Answer 8

Enters by diffusion
Once dissolved can be converted to carbonate

Question 9

How is carbon returned to the atmosphere

Answer 9

Released from ecosystems by respiration

Question 10

Main inorganic forms of carbon in lithosphere

Answer 10

Inorganic deposits include coal, oil, natural gas

Question 11

Sources of organic carbon

Answer 11

Litter, organic matter, humic substances

Question 12

What natural event is responsible for carbon from lithosphere to atmosphere

Answer 12

Released from the interior of lithosphere by volcanoes

Question 13

How have humans altered carbon cycle

Answer 13

Since Industrial Revolution, humans have greatly increased quantity of CO2 found in atmosphere

Question 14

What human activities are responsible for increase in carbon

Answer 14

Fossil fuel combustion and modification of natural plant cover found in grassland

Question 15

Units of carbon

Answer 15

A gigatonne of carbon dioxide is used to measure
1GT= 1billion tonnes