Carbon cycle

• Green plants use carbon dioxide during photosynthesis to release energy
• Animals eating plants passes carbon compounds along the food chain
• Animals and plants die and decompose (broken down by microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi) which releases carbon dioxide back into the air by respiration of the decomposers
• Some useful plant and animal products e.g. wood and fossil fuels are burned (combustion) that releases carbon dioxide back into the air
• Carbon dioxide is dissolved into the ocean