The Carbon Cycle

• what are 2 components of an ecosystem

  • abiotic
  • biotic
• why's it important that materials are recycled through the abiotic + biotic components of an ecosystem

  • to return materials back to the ecosystem
  • -
  • living things are made up of elements (like carbon) which make complex compounds (like carbohydrates)
  • when organisms eaten -> passed along food chain until excreted out or died
• describe the role of decomposers in the recycling of materials

  • break down dead organisms or excretion/waste to the soil or air
  • so it can be taken in by new plant
  • + puts them back into food chain
• why is carbon constantly recycled

  as there's only a fixed amount in the world
• describe the carbon cycle

  • PHOTOSYNTHESIS by producers -> take in CO2
  • Animals FEED on plants
  • Plants + animals RESPIRE -> release CO2
  • -
  • They DIE + DECAY by DECOMPOSERS (which also RESPIRE)
  • FOSSIL FUELS form due to high heat/pressure underground
  • COMBUSTION of fossil fuels -> release CO2
• name the process that removed CO2 from the atmosphere

  photosynthesis
• name the process that returns CO2 back to the atmosphere

  • Respiration
  • Combustion
  • Decomposition
• how do carbon compounds pass from organisms to organisms

  feeding
• whats the role of microorganisms in the carbon cycle

  • decomposing waste (dead organisms/waste)
  • also respires to release CO2
• explain why the bodies if dead organisms + animals waste 'disappear' over time

  • decompose back into the earth + air
  • break down into elements like CO2 + N2
• whats the word equation for photosynthesis

  Carbon Dioxide + Water -> Glucose + Oxygen
• whats the word equation for respiration

  Glucose + Oxygen -> Carbon dioxide + Water