The Carbon Cycle Flashcards
what does photosynthesis do to carbon atoms? (carbon cycle)
fixes carbon atoms from carbon dioxide into organic compounds (e.g. glucose)
what does feeding do to food chains? (carbon cycle)
passes carbon atoms frm organic compounds along food chains
what does respiration produce? (carbon cycle)
produces inorganic carbon dioxide from organic compounds as these are broken down easily to release energy
what do dead organic material release? (carbon cycle)
carbon is released during respiration by decomposers
when does fossilisation occur? (carbon cycle)
when dead organis matter does not fully decay due to conditions in the soil, leading to fossil fuel formation
what does combustion release? (carbon cycle)
releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned
complete this carbon cycle diagram
name two molecules in plants that contain carbon
starch
glucose
the carbon in plants can be released into the air as carbon dioxide
give two ways in which this can happen
respiration
decomposition
increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the air can lead to global warming
give six different harmful consequences of global warming
melting ice caps
extinction
climate change
soil erosion
food chain disruption
habitat destruction
complete this gap fill:
Many fungi are decomposers and play an important part in the carbon cycle. Decomposition is the … of dead organisms, or other organic material, such as bread. The process releases inorganic mineral ions, such as … and … in the soil. Decomposition also releases a gas called … into the air. This gas is produced by a process called … which releases the energy that fungi need to grow. The same gas is taken out of the air by plants and used in a process called … to make food.
Many fungi are decomposers and play an important part in the carbon cycle. Decomposition is the breakdown of dead organisms, or other organic material, such as bread. The process releases inorganic mineral ions, such as nitrate and phosphate in the soil. Decomposition also releases a gas called carbon dioxide into the air. This gas is produced by a process called respiration which releases the energy that fungi need to grow. The same gas is taken out of the air by plants and used in a process called photosynthesis to make food.
what is a decomposer?
an organism that eats dead organism or animal droppings, and breaks them down into simple materials
what are the main groups of decomposer?
bacteria and fungi
what is decomposition?
the breakdown or decay of dead organisms, or other organic materials
what is the process that allows carbon compounds to leave carnivores and enter the atmosphere?
respiration
what is the prcess that takes carbon in the atmopshere into flowering plants?
feeding
what is the process that takes carbon from flowering plants into herbivores?
feeding
what is the process that takes carbon from herbivores into carnivores?
feeding
burning fossil fuels return carbon dioxide to the atmosphere
explain how increased use of fossil fuels could affect the environment
increase in greenhouse gases which increases the greenhouse effect
trapped heat in the atmosphere leads to the gradual rise in temperature (global warming)
global warming leads to rising sea levels, melting ice caps, flooding
this is the result of climate change
describe the role of decomposers in the carbon cycle
they break down the remains of dead plants and animals (organisms) releasing carbon dioxide through respiration
this carbon dioixde can then be used in photosynthesis for plants
name four carbohydrtes found in plants that contain carbon
starch
glucose
sucrose
cellulose
other than fungi and bacteria, what other type of organism is a decomposer?
microorganisms
what fixes carbon atoms from carbon dioxide into organic compounds? (e.g. glucose)
photosynthesis
what releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned?
combustion
what releases carbon from dead organic material during respiration?
decomposers
what passes carbon atoms from organic compounds along food chains?
feeding
what occurs when dead organis matter does not fully decay due to conditions in the soil, leading to fossil fuel formation?
fossilisation
what produces inorganic carbon dioxide from organic compounds as these are broken down to release energy?
respiration
what are inorganic nitrogen compounds (3)?
nitrogen in the air
nitrogen in the soil
nitrate in the soil