Biogeochemical Cycles: Carbon

How many protons does a carbon atom have?

6

What does a greenhouse gas do?

hold in heat

What natural process do living things perform that puts greenhouse gases into the atmosphere?

cellular respiration

What process removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?

photosynthesis

Why is carbon so important for life?

the four types of biomolecules have carbon

Carbon reservoir

a place where carbon is stored

Carbon sink

a place that holds carbon; carbon comes in faster than it leaves, like filling a sink without it being fully plugged (the biggest carbon sink is the ocean)

Fossil fuels

fuels containing carbon made from remains of organisms

Carbon fixation

carbon becomes part of organic compounds through photosynthesis

What is the chemical formula for glucose?

C6H12O6

Chemical formula for carbon dioxide

CO2

What is the chemical formula for methane?

CH4

Chemical formula for carbonic acid

H2CO3

Chemical formula for bicarbonate

HCO3-

Chemical formula for carbonate

CO3 2-

Chemical formula for calcium carbonate

CaCO3

How does carbonic acid form?

carbon dioxide dissolves in water

How does bicarbonate form?

carbonic acid splits

How does carbonate form?

bicarbonate splits

How does water temperature influence oceanic carbon?

cold water absorbs more carbon dioxide; warm water puts carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere; warm water causes a transition to carbonate; cold water prefers bicarbonate and carbonic acid