Carbon Cycle

Carbon Cycle
Lesson Objective:
Describe the main processes of the carbon cycle.

Carbon's Importance:

• Carbon is essential for all living organisms.

• It moves through both living and non-living parts of Earth.

• The carbon cycle enables life on Earth.

Photosynthesis

• Plants and algae convert CO₂ and H₂O into glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and O₂ using sunlight.

• Equation: CO₂ + H₂O + Sunlight → C₆H₁₂O₆ + O₂

• Captures carbon from the atmosphere.

Labeling

Label the process involved in photosynthesis

Drag labels to their correct position on the image

Oxygen

Sunlight

Glucose

Carbon dioxide

Water

​Respiration

Multiple Choice

During respiration, what do animals primarily inhale(breathe in )?

• a) Carbon dioxide (CO2)

• b) Nitrogen (N2)

• c) Oxygen (O2)

• d) Water vapor (H2O)

Multiple Choice

Which gas do animals release during respiration?

• a) Oxygen

• b) Carbon dioxide

• c) Nitrogen

• d) Methane

​Respiration

• Living organisms release energy from glucose, producing CO₂ and H₂O.

• Equation: C₆H₁₂O₆ + O₂ →CO₂ + H₂O + Energy

• Adds CO₂ back into the atmosphere.

Fill in the Blanks

Respiration is the process of changing

into energy.

​Decomposition

Open Ended

Which group of organisms are primarily responsible for decomposition?

​Decomposition

• Decomposers like bacteria and fungi break down dead organisms and waste.

• Releases CO₂ into the atmosphere

Multiple Choice

Which process moves carbon in dead organisms back into the soil?

• Compost

• Decomposition

• Feeding

• Fossilzation

Multiple Choice

What are the two main reservoirs for carbon dioxide?

• Ocean, fossil fuels

• Ocean, atmosphere

• Atmosphere, fossil fuels

• Calcium Carbonate, ocean

Multiple Select

Check all the ways that carbon dioxide is ADDED to the atmosphere.

• Respiration

• Combustion

• Photosynthesis

• Diffusion

• Decomposition

​Combustion

• Burning of organic materials like wood, fossil fuels.

• Equation: CxHy + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O + Energy (Heat and Light)

• Increases atmospheric CO2, contributing to global warming.

​Geological Carbon Cycle

• Formation:

  • Organic carbon turns into limestone or fossil fuels over millions of years.

• Earth’s Role:

  • Plate tectonics release this stored carbon via volcanic activity.

Geological Carbon Cycle

• fossil fuels formation .

Oceans' Role in Carbon Cycle

• Absorption:

  • Oceans absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere.

  • Carbon settles in the form of shells at the ocean bottom.

• Impact:

  • Dissolved CO₂ forms acids, which harm shellfish.

Multiple Select

Check all the ways that carbon dioxide is ADDED to the atmosphere.

• Respiration

• Combustion

• Photosynthesis

• Diffusion

• Decomposition

Multiple Choice

How is the carbon cycle similar to the water cycle?

• Both involve liquid substances falling to the Earth from the atmosphere?

• Neither process works at low temperature.

• Both involve the transfer of substances between animals, plants, and the Earth.

• Both involve the transfer of substances between the earth and outer space.

Multiple Choice

Carbon can be found in...

• The atmosphere
• Soil
• Fossil fuels
• All of the above

Multiple Choice

Respiration is the process by which animals take in _____ and release _____. 

• photosynthesis, air
• carbon, oxygen
• oxygen
• oxygen, carbon dioxide

Multiple Choice

Which gas do animals release, that plants depend on for survival?

• Carbon dioxide

• Oxygen

• Sunlight

• Water

Multiple Choice

Which of the following processes does NOT move carbon to the atmosphere?

• Animal respiration (Breathing)

• Volcanic eruption

• Photosynthesis

• Burning fossil fuels

Label the process of carbon cycle

Check
your
answer

Poster(individually)
1. Read the instruction
2. Highlight the key words(What to draw and what to label)
3. Make a poster on your notebook.