5.4 The carbon cycle

Question 1

What is the carbon cycle

Answer 1

The constant cycling of carbon, that is CO2 going out of the environment through fossilization and photosynthesis, and back into the environment through burning, decomposition (animals and plants) , respiration

Question 2

What adds carbon to the environment?

Answer 2

burning - fossil fuels

decomposition and decay of dead animals and plants

respiration (and farting) animals and green plants

Question 3

What takes carbon out of the environment?

Answer 3

photosynthesis

when plants are eaten by animals

fossilisation

can disolve in waster, especially sea water

Question 4

Why does burning fossil fuels contribute to global warming?

Answer 4

Because carbon is released much faster than it can be reabsorbed by the environment, so the level of carbon in the environment increases.

Question 5

What do plants remove/add to the environment

Answer 5

Remove CO2 through photosynthesis,

Add Oxygen AND CO2 through respiration

Question 6

What do we mean by a stable community in terms of recycling of nutrients?

Answer 6

The process of removing nutrients from the environment is balanced by by processes that return these materials.