Intro cycles: carbon

Carbon Cycle

The cycle through which carbon atoms circulate in the Earth's ecosystems, including processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, and combustion.

Human body composition

The human body is made up of approximately 96.2% CHO (carbon, hydrogen, oxygen) and 3.2% nitrogen.

Photosynthesis formula

6CO2 + 6H2O — C6H12O6 + 6O2

removes CO2 from the atmosphere

Cellular respiration

C6H12O6 + 6O2 — 6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy

releases CO2 back into the atmosphere, completing the cycle

Combustion

The process of burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Nucleic acids

Biomolecules essential for all known forms of life, made up of nucleotide chains; include DNA and RNA.

Erosion

The process by which natural forces like wind, water, or ice wear away rocks and soil, contributing to the carbon cycle.

Valence electrons

Electrons in the outer shell of an atom that are involved in forming bonds with other atoms; carbon has four valence electrons.

The significance of carbon

Carbon serves as the backbone of organic compounds due to its ability to form four stable covalent bonds with other atoms.

What are the organic compounds

Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucletic acids

importance of carbon

Its the back bone of organic compounds

carbon atom

6 protons, 2 electrons(first shell), 4 electrons (second shell), 4 bonds with other molecules

Carbon in nature

makes up about 416 ppm (.0416) of the atmosphere as gas (CO2) in oceans as dissolved CO2 and in rocks