THE CARBON CYCLE

Question 1

what causes a material to decay?

Answer 1

they’re broken down by microorganisms

Question 2

how is carbon removed from the atmosphere in the carbon cycle?

Answer 2

carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere by green plants and algae during photosynthesis

Question 3

what is the second stage of the carbon cycle after some carbon has been returned to the atmosphere from plants respiring?

Answer 3

plants and algae are eaten by animals which means some carbon becomes part of their fats and proteins

Question 4

give the processes that add carbon dioxide back to the atmosphere

Answer 4

burning fossil fuels

animal respiration

co2 released from decay

plant respiration

Question 5

why is it a cycle?

Answer 5

because the carbon is being constantly recycled from the air, through food chains via plants and algae and eventually back in to the air again

Question 6

how the death and waste from animals add to the co2 in the air?

Answer 6

because it is broken down by detritus feeders and microorganisms in the soil that releases co2 from the decay