The Carbon Cycle

Question 1

What is the Carbon Cycle?

Answer 1

• the process where carbon compounds are interchanged among the biosphere, geosphere, pedosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere of the Earth.

Question 2

What are the stages of the Carbon Cycle on land?

Answer 2

1. Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for photosynthesis
2. Animals eat the plants and the carbon is bioaccumulated into their bodies.
3. The plants and animals die and upon decomposing, carbon is released into the atmosphere
4. The carbon that was not released eventually turns into fossil fuels
5. We humans use the fossil fuels for mad-made activities which release carbon back into the atmosphere

Question 3

What are the steps of the Oceanic Carbon Cycle?

Answer 3

1. Marine animals convert carbon into calcium carbonate which is what makes up the hard shells of organisms like clams and oysters
2. When these organisms die, they decompose which leave behind there shells.
3. The shells accumulate with the sea floor and are broken down by waves and compacted under pressure which eventually limestone
4. When the limestone is exposed to air, it weathers which releases carbon back into the air

Question 4

Why is the Carbon Cycle important?

Answer 4

• carbon is apart of all forms of life as it is found in proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids
• carbon plays a vital role in balancing energy and it protects the earth from the radiations of the sun