Collegeboard: Carbon Cycle

Question 1

The carbon cycle

Answer 1

-Movement of atoms and molecules containing carbon between sources and sinks
-A biogeochemical cycle

Question 2

Biogeochemical cycles

Answer 2

-A self-regulating, naturally-occuring movement of chemical molecules
-Stabilize and regulate the flow of matter through ecosystems
-Can be disrupted by human activity.

Question 3

How do organisms use carbon in the atmosphere?

Answer 3

Photosynthesis to make glucose
Released during respiration
Air-sea gas exchange (abiotic)

Question 4

Decomposition

Answer 4

Returns CO2 to the atmosphere through cellular respiration
Returns carbon to the soil/water through the breakdown of sugar in the bodies

Question 5

How do animals use carbon?

Answer 5

Stored in the bodies

Question 6

What does sedimentation do?

Answer 6

-Sediments that fall into the ocean ground become limestone after a long time.
-Removes carbon from the fast carbon cycle

Question 7

What is fossil carbon?

Answer 7

Fossilized carbon from the remains of dead plants and animals

Question 8

What can disrupt the carbon cycle?

Answer 8

-Extraction of carbon cycle
-Combustion of fossil carbon

Question 9

What is fast carbon cycling?

Answer 9

-Movement of carbon through the biosphere—living organisms
-Main processes involved are photosynthesis and cellular respiration
-Primary carbon reservoir is the atmosphere
-Carbons spend a relatively brief time in the atmosphere

Question 10

Recycling of long-term carbon

Answer 10

-Extraction/combustion of fossil fuels (fast)
-Uplift/weathering of limestone (slow)