the carbon cycle

Question 1

acronym

Answer 1

ADAFP

Question 2

acronym meaning

Answer 2

-air
-decomposers
-animals
-fossil fuels
-plants

Question 3

describe the carbon cycle (1-4)

Answer 3

carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere by green plants and algae by diffusion via stomata during photosynthesis, which is used to make carbohydrates, fats and proteins to make up cells
some of the carbon is released back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide by these plants and algae during respiration
plants and algae are eaten by animals so some carbon becomes part of the carbohydrates, fats and proteins in the cells of animals which moves carbon through the food chain
these animals respire, releasing carbon, as carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

Question 4

describe the carbon cycle (5-8)

Answer 4

5. plants and animals die so decomposers like detritus feeders and microorganisms feed on their remains which contain carbon, and respire, releasing carbon dioxide when they return mineral ions to the soil
6. they also break down animal waste which contains carbon
7. if the remains of plants and animals are exposed to the correct conditions in which decomposers cannot function properly (too dry, cold or lack of oxygen), the carbon in dead remains can slowly be converted to fossil fuels which are dug up by humans
8. humans then burn them via combustion, returning carbon back into the atmosphere

Question 5

why are decomposers important?

Answer 5

they cycle materials through an ecosystem and release mineral ions to the soil

Question 6

what happens in a stable community?

Answer 6

there is a constant cycle of materials

Question 7

what are living things made from?

Answer 7

the materials they take from the world surrounding them

Question 8

why are materials recycled?

Answer 8

to provide the building blocks for future organisms

Question 9

how do microorganisms help to recycle chemicals?

Answer 9

-digestion
-respiration
-production of carbon dioxide
-release of mineral ions into soil

Question 10

how do plants use recycled chemicals?

Answer 10

-carbon dioxide taken in by diffusion via stomata
-carbon dioxide used in photosynthesis
-making glucose/sugar/starch/cellulose
-ion taken in by roots
-via ATP
-nitrate ions for making amino acids/DNA/proteins

Question 11

why is the carbon cycle important?

Answer 11

-carbon is essential for life as it is used in DNA and proteins
-maintains a stable climate
-carbon used in cells as fats, carbs, proteins