B4.1.7 Carbon Cycle

Question 1

How is carbon removed from the atmosphere?

Answer 1

Photosynthesis in plants

converts carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and glucose

Question 2

What is glucose?

Answer 2

A simple sugar

Used to make complex carbohydrates (starch, fats, proteins), enabling plants to grow and develop

Question 3

What happens when animals eat plants?

Answer 3

Carbon in plant is transferred to animals, some used to produce fats and proteins in animal’s body

Question 4

How is carbon released back into atmosphere?

Answer 4

Respiration-all living organisms respire transferring energy from chemical stores in food, carbon dioxide produced and released
Decomposition-when plants/algae/animals die decomposers break down their remains releasing carbon dioxide as they respire
Burning fossil fuels-fossil fuels are stores of carbon and when they burn trapped carbon is released

Question 5

Why does the level of carbon in the atmosphere vary?

Answer 5

-photosynthesis only takes place during day (sunlight needed)
= carbon dioxide only removed from atmosphere during day
-respiration is constantly carried out by all animals
=carbon dioxide released consistently