Ecology and the Environment - Cycles Within Ecosystems

Question 1

what are the stages in the carbon cycle?

Answer 1

respiration, photosynthesis, decomposition and combustion

Question 2

how does respiration contribute to the carbon cycle?

Answer 2

all living organisms exhale carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as a product of respiration

Question 3

how does photosynthesis contribute to the carbon cycle?

Answer 3

plants fix and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere via photosynthesis

Question 4

how does decomposition contribute to the carbon cycle?

Answer 4

decomposers break down dead organisms and faeces from egestion to remove and return carbon dioxide to the atmosphere

Question 5

how does combustion contribute to the carbon cycle?

Answer 5

if decomposition doesn’t occur, incomplete decomposition over long periods of time may lead to fossilization of an organism to form fossil fuels which return carbon dioxide back to the atmosphere