The Carbon Cycle

• What is the starting point of the carbon cycle?

  Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
• How does carbon enter the carbon cycle?

  Through photosynthesis
• What do plants use in photosynthesis to create glucose?

  Carbon dioxide and water
• What is the role of light energy in photosynthesis?

  It powers the process of photosynthesis
• What is the difference between respiration and breathing?

  Respiration is a cellular process
• What are the two key processes in the carbon cycle?

  Photosynthesis and respiration
• How does carbon dioxide return to the atmosphere?

  Through aerobic respiration
• What happens to carbon in plants and algae during the carbon cycle?

  • Carbon dioxide is absorbed for photosynthesis
  • Carbon is used to make carbohydrates, fats, and proteins
  • Some carbon is released back as carbon dioxide during respiration
• What happens to carbon when animals eat plants?

  It becomes part of their carbohydrates and proteins
• What do animals release back to the atmosphere?

  Carbon dioxide
• What happens to animals and plants after they die?

  They are broken down by decomposers
• Who are the decomposers in the carbon cycle?

  Bacteria and fungi
• What do decomposers do with dead remains?

  They break them down and return carbon
• What do decomposers release back into the atmosphere?

  Carbon dioxide
• What do decomposers release to the soil?

  Mineral ions
• What happens to carbon in dead remains under low oxygen conditions?

  It can be converted to fossil fuels
• How long does it take for carbon to be trapped as fossil fuels?

  Millions of years
• What has been happening to fossil fuels over the last 200 years?

  Humans have been burning them
• What is the result of burning fossil fuels?

  It releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere