Carbon Cycle

Question 1

All the nurtrients in our environment are ____ being ____

Answer 1

All the nurtrients ​in our environment are constantly being recycled

Question 2

What does the carbon cycle show?

Answer 2

How carbon is recyled

Question 3

Draw the carbon cycle

Answer 3

Question 4

What is the carbon cycle powered by?

Answer 4

Photosynthesis

Question 5

How is photosynthesis used in the carbon cycle?

(2 steps)

Answer 5

1. CO₂ is removed from the atmosphere by green plants and algae
2. The carbon is used to make carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the plants and algae

Question 6

What happens to the carbon after green plants and algae use it for photosynthesis?

Answer 6

1. Some of the carbon is returned to the atmosphere as CO₂, when the plants and algae RESPIRE
2. Some of the carbon becomes part of the fats and proteins in animals when the plants and algaes are EATEN

Question 7

What happens to the carbon that has been consumed by animals to make fats and proteins?

(3)

Answer 7

1. It moves through the food chain
2. Some of it returns to the atmosphere as CO_{<strong>2</strong>} when the animals respire
3. Animal waste (which contains some carbon) is broken down by detritus feeders and mircoorganisms, which respire to release CO₂ into the atmosphere

Question 8

What happens to carbon when plants, algae, and animals die?

Answer 8

Other animals (called detritus feeders) and microorganisms feed on their remains.

CO₂ is returned to the atmosphere when these organisms respire

Question 9

Ignoring carbon for once, what happens in terms of recycling when an animal produces waste?

Answer 9

Compounds in the waste are taken up from the soil by plants as nutrients - they’re put back into the food chain again

Question 10

Name a man-made way that CO₂ is released into the atmosphere

Answer 10

Some useful plant and animal products e.g. wood and fossil fuels, are combusted.

Question 11

So the carbon is constantly being ____ - from the ____, through ____ ____ and eventually back into the ____ again.

Answer 11

So the carbon is constantly being cycled - from the atmosphere, through food chains and eventually back into the atmosphere again.

Question 12

Why is carbon very important for living things?

(+ 3 details)

Answer 12

It’s the basis for all the organic molecules in our bodies, including lots of important types of molecules like:

1. Fats
2. Proteins
3. Carbohydrates