The Carbon and Nitrogen Cycles

Flashcards about the carbon and nitrogen cycles.

Carbon

The foundation of all life on Earth and exists in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (CO2).

Carbon

A key ingredient in food substances and biological molecules like DNA and helps regulate the Earth’s temperature.

The Carbon Cycle

The process in which carbon atoms continually travel from the atmosphere to living things and back into the atmosphere.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants make their own food, removing carbon from the air.

The formula for __ is Carbon Dioxide + Water yields Glucose + Oxygen.

The worded and chemical formula for photosynthesis is Carbon Dioxide + Water yields Glucose + Oxygen, represented chemically as 6CO2 + 6H2O yields C6H12O6 + 6O2.

Carbon is released back into the atmosphere by __, __ and plant and animal respiration.

Decomposition, combustion, and plant and animal respiration.

__ is the process by which glucose is broken to release energy.

The process by which glucose is broken down to release energy, producing carbon dioxide and water as waste products.

Decomposition

As bacteria decompose dead material they respire to produce __ which is released into the atmosphere.

__ occurs when fuel burns after being exposed to oxygen.

Occurs when fuel burns after being exposed to oxygen, producing carbon dioxide and water.

__ is an important nutrient which exists as nitrogen gas (N2) in the atmosphere.

An important nutrient that exists as nitrogen gas (N2) in the atmosphere, which must be converted to a usable form.

For N2 gas to be usable it must be __.

Converting N2 gas into a form usable by plants and animals.

Ammonification

Production of ammonia from organic compounds.

Nitrification

Conversion of ammonium ions to nitrate ions.

Denitrification

Conversion of ammonium ions to gaseous nitrogen.