The Carbon Cycle

What Is the biological origin of coal?

fossilization of autotrophs

Fossilization of autotrophs is the biological origin of what?

coal

What Is the biological origin of oil?

heated, high pressured diatoms

Heated, high pressured diatoms is the biological origin of what?

oil

What is the biological origin of limestone?

fossilization of aquatic animals

Fossilization of aquatic animals is the biological origin of what?

limestone

Describe the two processes that release carbon into the atmosphere:

respiration in which organisms release co2 in exchange for oxygen. Combustion where the burning of wood/fossil fuels releases co2 and other carbon compounds

What are the four geological reservoirs (sinks), that can act as a source of carbon?

atmospheric co2, coal, carbon in plants and animals tissues, oil and gas

What do macronutrients include?

carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus

What do micronutrients include?

iodine, iron, zinc

What is the earth’s major reservoir of carbon?

the atmosphere

How does carbon enter the biotic part of the ecosystem?

photosynthesis

It is through photosynthesis that carbon enters what?

the biotic part of the ecosystem

What do plants of the forests do in the carbon cycle?

takes carbon dioxide and fix it into organic compounds such as sugar, starch, cellulose, and other carbohydrates

What in the carbon cycle takes carbon dioxide and fixes it into organic compounds such as sugar, starch, cellulose, and other carbohydrates?

plants of the forests

What in the carbon cycle returns carbon dioxide to the atmosphere?

respiration in plants

What does respiration in plants do in the carbon cycle?

return carbon dioxide to the atmosphere

What happens during plant consumption?

carbon passes into primary consumers

What happens when carbon passes into primary consumers?

plant consumption

What happens when animal consumption occurs?

carbon passes to a secondary consumer

What happens when carbon passes to a secondary consumer?

animal consumption

Where does respiration take place?

in cells of primary and secondary consumers and carbon is released back into the environment as carbon dioxide

What takes place in cells of primary and secondary consumers and carbon is released back into the environment as carbon dioxide?

respiration

When the primary and secondary consumers die, their organic matter enters the soil through what process?

decomposition

What are detritus feeders?

small animals and microorganisms that subsist on decaying matter such as fallen leaves, dead bodies and animal waste

What are small animals and microorganisms that subsist on decaying matter such as fallen leaves, dead bodies, and animal waste?

detritus feeders

What are examples of detritus feeders?

earthworms, mites, centipedes, insects, and crustaceans

Earthworms, mites, centipedes, insects, and crustaceans are examples of what?

detritus feeders

How is carbon converted to fossil fuel?

High pressure and temperature transform carbon-containing organic matter into coal, oil, and natural gas

High pressure and temperature transform carbon-containing organic matter into coal, ooil and natural gas describes what process?

how carbon is converted to fossil fuels

What are some uses for fossil fuels?

power plants generate electricity and automobiles are powered by gasoline

The products of the combustion of fossil fuels include what?

carbon dioxide and other carbon compounds that enter the atmosphere

Describe the carbon cycle’s exchange with the oceans:

some carbon dioxide from the air dissolves in the ocean and combines with calcium to form calcium carbonate, which is incorporated into the shells of mollusks and other creatures

Some co2 from the air dissolves in the ocean and combines with calcium to form calcium carbonate, which is incorporated into the shells of mollusks and other creatures describes what?

exchange with the oceans

When these shells, decay they transform into limestone, which over time, dissolves as it exposed to water, then _.

carbon is released from limestone and may return to the atmosphere

What processes increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the air?

combustion, respiration, decomposition

What processes decrease the amount of carbon dioxide in the air?

photosynthesis, air sea gas exchange