The carbon cycle

https://www.revisely.com/gcse/biology/aqa/video/33S

What does carbon cycle start with

Starts with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

What happens during photosynthesis.

The only way carbon enters the carbon cycle is through photosynthesis.

Carbon dioxide is combined with water to make glucose, photosynthesis uses light energy, and is carried out by plants.

Whats the other key process in carbon cycle.

Respiration, The carbon dioxide returns back to the environment by aerobic respiration, all organisms respire.

Whats fiirst stage of carbon cycle

Plants and algae take in carbon dioxide from atmosphere through photosynthesis, the carbon is used to make carbs. fats and proteins which make up cells of plants and algae.

These plants and algae respire, so some of the carbon is released back into atmosphere as carbon dioxide.

Whats next stage of carbon cycle

Plants and algae can be eaten by animals, and these animals can be eaten by other animals. The carbon that was part of the plants becomes part of the carbs, fats and proteins in the cells of animals. Animals respire, so some of that carbon is also released back into atmosphere as carbon dioxide.

Whats third stage in carbon cycle

Animals release waste products e.g faeces, and eventually they all die.

Now we have carbon in waste product and dead remains, they are then broken down by decomposing microorganisms, e.g bacteria and fungi, and when decomposers carry out respiration, the carbon in the waste and dead remains is returned to atmosphere as carbon dioxide.

Why are decomposers important

They cycle materials through an ecosystem, as well as returning carbon to the at atmosphere as carbon dioxide, they release mineral ions to the soil.

What happens if decomposers dont function properly, e.g lack of oxygen

The carbon in the dead remains can slowly be converted to fossil fuels, and over millions of years, a large amount of carbon will be trapped underground as fossil fuels

What does combusting fossil fuels do

Releases large amount of carbon dioxide back into atmosphere,

This is because we have been burning huge amounts of fossil fuels e.g coal and oil.