Carbon in Earth's System

Front

What is the process by which carbon leaves the biosphere and enters the atmosphere?

Back

Respiration through breathing.

Front

Which gas is primarily produced by human and animal respiration?

Back

Carbon dioxide.

Front

How can carbon dioxide move from the atmosphere to the hydrosphere?

Back

CO₂ can dissolve directly into the ocean, or CO₂ can dissolve in rainwater, cause rocks to weather, and release bicarbonate ions into the ocean.

Front

What process do plants use to take in carbon dioxide?

Back

Photosynthesis.

Front

What states can carbon exist in within the Earth's system?

Back

Solid, liquid, gas, or all of the above.

Front

What is photosynthesis?

Back

The process by which plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.

Front

What role does decomposition play in the carbon cycle?

Back

Decomposition breaks down organic matter, releasing carbon back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.

Front

What is respiration in the context of the carbon cycle?

Back

The process by which living organisms convert oxygen and glucose into energy, releasing carbon dioxide as a byproduct.

Front

What is the significance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?

Back

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that traps heat, contributing to the greenhouse effect and climate change.

Front

How does burning fossil fuels affect the carbon cycle?

Back

Burning fossil fuels releases stored carbon into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, increasing greenhouse gas concentrations.