ecology - carbon cycle Flashcards
what does carbon cycle start with?
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
what is the only way carbon can enter the carbon cycle?
by photosynthesis. it is combined with water. photosynthesis uses light energy. in plants
how does carbon dioxide return back to the atmosphere?
by aerobic respiration which is carried out by every living organism
carbon cycle 2 processes?
photosynthesis which takes it in and respiration which returns it
carbon cycle steps?
- plants and algae take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in photosynthesis
- carbon used to make carbohydrates, fats and proteins which makes up the cells of plants and algae
- planes and algae respire so some carbon released back to atmosphere as CO2
- plants + algae then eaten by animals then these animals eaten by other animals. carbon in plants now part of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in cells of animals. animals respire so some carbon released as CO2
- animals release faeces + all plants + animals will eventually die. now carbon in waste products and dead animals
- waste products + remains are broken down by decomposing microorganisms for example bacteria and fungi. when they respire, the carbon in waste products + remains is returned as CO2 in atmosphere
why are decomposers extremely important?
they cycle materials through an ecosystem. not only do they release carbon to atmosphere as CO2, they release mineral ions to the soil
when won’t decomposers function effectively? then explain what will happen
under certain conditions such as a lack of oxygen. if this happens then carbon in dead remains can be slowly converted to fossil fuels and over millions of years, large amounts of carbon has been trapped underground as fossil fuels. however over last 200 years, humans been burning fossil fuels (coal and oil). by combusting fossil fuels we are releasing a large amount of carbon dioxide back to atmosphere
