carbon cycle

Question 1

what does the diagram of a carbon cycle show

Answer 1

how the element carbon passes between the environment and living organisms.

Question 2

explain the process of the carbon cycle

Answer 2

1. during photosynthesis plants absorb carbon dioxide gas and convert it to carbon compounds.
2. carbon compounds in plants are passed to animals when they eat the plants, and from animal to animal along a food chain.
3. respiration in plants, animals and decomposers releases carbon dioxide in the air as carbon dioxide gas.
4. dead plants and animals are eaten by decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi.
5. dead organisms that are not broken down by decomposers may eventually form fossil fuels, such as coal and oil.
6. when we burn fossil fuels we release the carbon in them back into the air as carbon dioxide.

Question 3

a large forest is cleared for burning. explain the immediate affects and long term affects.

Answer 3

immediate: large amounts of carbon dioxide will be releases into the air by the combustion of trees
over a long period: less carbon dioxide will be removed from the air than before because the trees would have used some for photosynthesis . so the amount of carbon dioxide in the air is likely to remain high.