Carbon cycle

cycles within ecosystems

Carbon cycle

The continuous movement of carbon between living organisms and the environment

Photosynthesis

Process where plants take in CO₂ and convert it into glucose

Respiration

Process in which organisms release CO₂ back into the atmosphere

Decomposition

Breakdown of dead organisms, releasing CO₂

Combustion

Burning of fossil fuels or biomass, releasing CO₂

Fossilisation

Formation of fossil fuels when decomposition is prevented

Carbon store

Place where carbon is held (atmosphere, biomass, fossil fuels, oceans)

What is the carbon cycle?

The continuous cycling of carbon through living things and the environment

How is carbon removed from the atmosphere?

By photosynthesis in plants and algae

How is carbon passed to animals?

Feeding (animals eat plant biomass)

How is carbon returned to the atmosphere?

Respiration in plants, animals, and decomposers

What do decomposers release during decay?

CO₂ through respiration

What happens if dead organisms do not decompose?

Carbon becomes locked in fossil fuels

How is carbon from fossil fuels released?

Combustion

Name four key processes in the carbon cycle

Photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, combustion