The Carbon Cycle

Question 1

What is the first stage of the carbon cycle?

Answer 1

The co2 in the air is used in photosynthesis which essentially ‘powers’ the whole thing
Co2 is removed from the atmosphere by green plants and algae and is used to make carbohydrates, fats and proteins In the plants

Question 2

What is the second stage of the carbon cycle?

Answer 2

Some of the carbon is returned to the atmosphere when plants and algae respire
Some of the carbon becomes part of fats and proteins in animals when the plants are eaten
The carbon then moves through the food chain

Question 3

What happens in the third stage of the carbon cycle?

Answer 3

Some carbon is returned to the atmosphere as co2 when the animals respire

Question 4

What happens in the fourth stage of the carbon cycle?

Answer 4

When plants animals and algae die other animals (detritus feeders) and microorganisme feed on their remains so when they respire co2 is returned to the atmosphere

Question 5

What happens is stage five of the carbon cycle?

Answer 5

Animals produce waste (also broken down by detritus feeders) compounds in the waste are taken up from the soil by plants as nutrients and are put back into the food chain

Question 6

What happens in stage six of the carbon cycle?

Answer 6

Some useful plant and animal products e.g. Fossil fuels are burnt (combustion) which releases co2 back into the atmosphere

Question 7

What happens in stage seven of the carbon cycle?

Answer 7

So carbon is constantly being cycled from the air through food chains and back to the air