The Carbon Cycle and Decay

Question 1

What does the carbon cycle show?

Answer 1

How carbon is recycled.

Question 2

What are the stages of the carbon cycle? (probably best to use a diagram guys)

Answer 2

1. Carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere by green plants and algae for photosynthesis
2. Some of the carbon is returned to the atmosphere as CO2. Animals eat the plants/algae and the carbon becomes part of the fats and proteins within the animal.
3. The carbon moves through the food chain.
4. Some of the carbon is returned to the atmosphere as CO2 when the animals respire
5. Plants, algae and animals die and other animals/microorganisms feed on their remains
6. Microorganisms respire and CO2 is returned to the atmosphere
7. Animals produce waste and that is broken down by the detritus feeders. Compounds in waste are taken up from the soil by plants. Carbon rejoins the food chain.
8. Some useful plants and animal products are burnt (combustion). This releases CO2 back into the atmosphere.

Question 3

What is the process of decay?

Answer 3

1. Plants take elements like carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen from the soil/air and turn them into complex compounds. These pass through the food chain when the plants are eaten.
2. These elements are returned to the environments in waste products produced by the organisms, or when the organisms die.
3. The elements are put back into the soil because they are broken down (decayed)

Question 4

What is the definition of decay?

Answer 4

Elements that are broken down by micororganisms

Question 5

What conditions do microorganisms work best in?

Answer 5

Warm, moist conditions

Where there is plenty of oxygen