Carbon Cycle and Its Impact on Climate

Front

What is the basic building block of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, DNA, and other organic compounds?

Back

Carbon

Front

What gas makes up 0.039% of the volume of the earth’s atmosphere and is a key component of the carbon cycle?

Back

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Front

What process do terrestrial and aquatic producers use to convert CO2 into complex carbohydrates?

Back

Photosynthesis

Front

What do aerobic respiration processes in producers, consumers, and decomposers produce?

Back

CO2 and water

Front

What is the largest store of carbon on earth?

Back

Marine sediments

Front

What are fossil fuels formed from?

Back

Buried deposits of dead plant matter and bacteria compressed between layers of sediment

Front

How do human activities alter the carbon cycle?

Back

By adding large amounts of CO2 to the atmosphere and clearing carbon-absorbing vegetation from forests

Front

What is the effect of increased concentrations of atmospheric CO2 and other greenhouse gases?

Back

They are likely to warm the atmosphere and change the earth’s climate.

Front

What is the relationship between photosynthesis and aerobic respiration in the carbon cycle?

Back

Photosynthesis converts CO2 into carbohydrates, while aerobic respiration breaks down these carbohydrates, releasing CO2 back into the atmosphere.

Front

Why are fossil fuels considered nonrenewable resources?

Back

Because they take millions of years to form, and we are extracting and burning them at a much faster rate.