Carbon Cycle

Carbon Cycle

By Aguado Angelica

Carbon Cycle

Please just observe this basic image overview of the carbon cycle!

Carbon

• Element found on the periodic table

• Coal is made of carbon

• Diamonds are also made of carbon but atoms are bonded together differently (stronger bonds)

• All life is made up of carbon (other stuff too)

• Many rocks are made of carbon (ex: limestone which is very common here in Kansas)

Multiple Select

Flashback! Choose the 4 macromolecules.

• Carbohydrate

• Lipid

• Protein

• Potassium

• Nucleic Acid

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT found in all macromolecules?

• Carbon

• Nitrogen

• Oxygen

Photosynthesis

During photosynthesis, producers take carbon dioxide out of the air and, using water and sunlight, convert it into glucose (sugar) and oxygen

The carbon found in glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) is a form that can be used by consumers and other living things

Photosynthesis changes carbon and light energy from the sun into forms that can be used by living things

Multiple Select

*Choose all that apply* What are benefits of photosynthesis?

• It makes food that plants and animals can use for energy

• It changes light energy from the sun into a form that can be used by living things

• It changes carbon into a form that can be used by living things

Multiple Choice

In which organelle does photosynthesis take place?

• Chloroplast

• Mitochondria

• Nucleus

Cellular Respiration

During cellular respiration, both consumers and producers take glucose and oxygen and use them to produce energy

The byproducts of this process, carbon dioxide and water, are released back into the atmosphere to be used again for photosynthesis

Decomposition

Decomposition is the process of breaking down dead organic (once living) and non-organic material

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This process returns nutrients to the soil and can form fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas)

Other Decomposers include but not limited to:

1. invertebrate organisms sometimes called detritivores-termites, earthworms, millipedes, ect.​

2. fungi-mushrooms

Multiple Choice

Which of the following living things is responsible for decomposition?

• Plants

• Animals

• Bacteria

Combustion

Combustion is the burning of materials to release energy

The byproduct of the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) is the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

Releasing too much carbon dioxide increases the greenhouse effect and contributes to global warming

Multiple Select

Choose the three fossil fuels

• natural gas

• water

• coal

• hydrogen

• oil

Conclusion

The carbon cycle is the Earth’s ultimate form of recycling and is a delicate balance.

Burning more fossil fuels has created more than 30% more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than 150 years ago – this is making the earth become warmer.

Helping to keep our environment clean by burning fewer fossil fuels will assure this cycle keeps going for our future generations.