Carbon Cycle

What is the role of carbon in living organisms?

Carbon is a fundamental component of organic molecules including fats carbohydrates and proteins

What does the carbon cycle demonstrate?

The continuous movement of carbon between biotic and abiotic components of the environment

What is photosynthesis in the carbon cycle?

Producers absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and convert it into organic molecules

How is carbon passed through food chains?

Carbon is passed between organisms as they consume other organisms

What happens to carbon during respiration?

Carbohydrates are broken down to release energy and CO2 is released into the atmosphere

What is the role of decomposition in the carbon cycle?

Microorganisms break down dead organic matter and release CO2 into the environment

How are fossil fuels formed?

Carbon stored in dead organic matter that does not decompose due to high temperature and pressure is transformed over millions of years into fossil fuels

What are examples of fossil fuels?

Coal and oil

What happens during combustion in the carbon cycle?

Stored carbon reacts with oxygen and CO2 is released into the atmosphere

How is carbon released from sedimentary rocks?

Carbon is released through weathering processes

How does volcanic activity affect the carbon cycle?

Tectonic plate movements can cause CO2 to be released through volcanic eruptions

Why do atmospheric CO2 levels fluctuate daily?

Photosynthesis occurs only during daylight while respiration occurs continuously

What happens to atmospheric CO2 during daylight?

Photosynthesis removes CO2 from the atmosphere so atmospheric CO2 levels decrease

What happens to atmospheric CO2 at night?

Respiration continues releasing CO2 while photosynthesis stops so atmospheric CO2 levels increase

Why are atmospheric CO2 levels generally lower in summer?

Long daylight hours and warm temperatures increase photosynthesis which removes more CO2

Why are atmospheric CO2 levels generally higher in winter?

Reduced daylight hours and colder temperatures decrease photosynthesis

How have greenhouse gas emissions changed annually?

They have been increasing

How does deforestation increase atmospheric CO2?

It removes photosynthesising biomass and often involves burning trees which releases CO2

Why does deforestation reduce CO2 removal?

There is less photosynthesising biomass available to remove CO2 from the atmosphere

How does increasing atmospheric CO2 affect global warming?

It accelerates global warming

How does global warming affect ocean CO2?

Warmer water has lower CO2 solubility so more CO2 is released into the atmosphere