Carbon Cycle

Question 1

What is carbon?

Answer 1

Carbon is a vital element in ecosystems that provides the chemical framework to form molecules.
- proteins, carbohydrates, fats and nucleic acids.

Question 2

What is carbon available?

Answer 2

• Atmosphere contains 0.03% of carbon

- In limestone and in oceans as carbonate or bicarbonate

Question 3

What is the carbon cycle?

Answer 3

• Occurs between biotic and abiotic environments
• Fixed process of photosynthesis
• Through respiration- carbon is released back into atmosphere
• Contained in abiotic and biotic systems for a long time- in wood of trees, coal and oil

Question 4

What has affected the carbon cycle?

Answer 4

• Human activity have affected the balance of the carbon cycle through deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels to provide energy.

Question 5

What are two process that release carbon into the atmosphere?

Answer 5

• Combustion

- Respiration

Question 6

What would happen to the carbon cycle if they were no decomposers?

Answer 6

• Dead material would accumulate and other important nutrients would not be released (nitrogen and phosphorous)

Question 7

Geological reservoirs that act as a source of carbon

Answer 7

• coal
• atmosphere
• plant and animal tissue
• oil and gas