Carbon Cycle

Question 1

Photosynthesis

Answer 1

• green plants/ algae take in carbon dioxide during photosynthesis
• they use it to make carbohydrates, fat and proteins

Question 2

Carbon is passed along the food chain when animals feed

Answer 2

• some carbon is passed on to animals when they eat plants
• they use it to make fats and proteins of their own
• the carbon moves along when the animals are eaten by other animals

Question 3

Respiration and combustion return carbon dioxide

Answer 3

• some carbon is returned to the air as carbon dioxide when plants and animal respire
• when they die, decomposers (bacteria, fungi…) feed on them; they also feed on animal waste so when the decomposers respire carbon dioxide is returned to air
• some dead plant/animal remains get buried and form fossil fuels. When they are burnt, they release carbon dioxide back into the air