Carbon Cycle Flashcards
Why is carbon essential to life?
It makes up carbohydrates which are energy storage molecules.
What sphere are the following compounds in?
Carbon dioxide and Methane
Atmosphere
What sphere are the following compounds in?
Glucose and calcium carbonate
Biosphere
What sphere are the following compounds in?
Hydrocarbon and calcium carbonate
Lithosphere
What sphere is the following compound in?
Carbonic acid
Hydrosphere
Is carbon dioxide accessible to plants and animals?
No
Is methane accessible to plants and animals?
No
Is glucose accessible to plants and animals?
Yes
Is carbonic acid accessible to plants and animals?
No
Is calcium carbonate accessible to plants and animals?
Only some types of organisms.
Is hydrocarbon accessible to plants and animals?
No
What is the process of photosynthesis in the carbon cycle?
When autotrophs such as plants and algae convert carbon dioxide to glucose so that it is accessible to living things.
What carbon compounds are involved in photosynthesis?
Carbon dioxide and glucose.
What is the process of respiration in the carbon cycle?
When all living things use glucose and other carbohydrates to store energy. This energy is released during the process of respiration producing carbon dioxide.
What carbon compounds are involved in respiration?
Glucose and carbon dioxide.
What is the process of decomposition in the carbon cycle?
Fungi and bacteria break down larger molecules from dead organisms and release carbon dioxide.
What carbon compounds are involved in decomposition?
Glucose and carbon dioxide.
What is the process of combustion in the carbon cycle?
Burning fossil fuels or living things e.g. trees. Converts hydro carbonates into carbon dioxide gas. This happens naturally but is exacerbated by human activities.
What carbon compounds are involved in combustion?
Hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide.
What is the process of dissolving in the carbon cycle?
Carbon dioxide dissolves in water forming carbonic acid.
What carbon compounds are involved in dissolving?
Carbon dioxide and carbonic acid.
What is the process of sedimentation in the carbon cycle?
Carbon dioxide and carbonic acid are taken in by living things and converted in calcium carbonate for shells or precipitated as limestone.
What carbon compounds are involved in sedimentation?
Carbon dioxide and calcium carbonate.
What is the process of extraction in the carbon cycle?
Moving fossil fuels from under the ground to above the ground to later be burnt.
What is the process of emissions in the carbon cycle?
The carbon dioxide from combustion of fossil fuels is released into the atmosphere.
What is the process of fossilisation in the carbon cycle?
Living things die and are buried for tens of thousands of years the carbon molecules becoming compacted and concentrated.
What is the process of feeding in the carbon cycle?
The movement of glucose from one living thing to another.
Draw an annotated diagram of the carbon cycle. (5 marks)
Half a mark for each correct process described.
Full marks if all processes above are included and described.
What are some of the reasons that organisms need carbon?
- Carbohydrates - energy
- Proteins - structure
- Lipids - cell membranes
- Nucleic acid - DNA
What is a carbon reservoir? Give some examples.
A carbon reservoir is a place where carbon is found. E.g. ocean, fossil fuels, the atmosphere, rocks and living organisms.
How does excess burning of fossil fuels impact the carbon cycle?
It can cause a major increase in atmospheric carbon (CO2). This can lead to an increased greenhouse effect (global warming).
Describe the 2 main biological reactions that drive the carbon cycle? (4 marks)
- Photosynthesis (CO2 + H2O = C6H12O6 + O2)
- Autotrophs that convert carbon to store energy in bonds of organic matter.
- Cellular respiration (C6H12O6 + O2 = CO2 + H2O).
- Living organisms that release CO2 as a waste product as carbon organic matter is broken down for energy.
Using the knowledge of the carbon cycle and biomass, provide 2 explanations for ways ending deforestation will reduce carbon concentration within the atmosphere. (4 marks)
- Trees take up decrease atmospheric CO2 through photosynthesis.
- Turns CO2 into biomass.
- Forest clearing adds carbon to atmosphere.
- Deforesting processes use fossil fuels to increase atmospheric CO2.
