Carbon cycle Flashcards
What is photosynthesis?
The process by which plants and algae use energy from the sun to make glucose
It happens inside the chloroplast - they contain chlorphyll which absorbs light
What is respiration?
The process of transferring energy from the breakdown of organic commpounds (usually glucose) and oxygen while relasing water and carbon dioxide
What has respiration got to do with carbon?
Due to respiratons carbon dioxide gets relased but less than it took in
What is combusion?
The process of buring something
What has photosynthesis got to do with the carbon cycle?
Photosynthesis takes in carbon
How does combusion link to the carbon cycle?
When fossil fuels are burned the carbon compounds stored within them are released as carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
How do animals link to the carbon cycle?
When they decompose they’re broken down by microorganisms like bacteria or fungi. These decomposers release CO2 back into the air by respiration
