6.1 The Carbon Cycle

• What is the carbon cycle?

  Exchange of carbon between reservoirs
• Match the carbon reservoir with its primary role:

  Atmosphere ↔️ Stores CO₂

  Oceans ↔️ Major carbon sink

  Lithosphere ↔️ Holds fossil fuels

  Land ↔️ Stores carbon in soil
• Oceans store carbon as dissolved CO₂ and organic matter
• What do plants release during photosynthesis?

  Oxygen
• What inputs do plants use during photosynthesis to produce glucose?

  Sunlight, water, CO₂
• What is the role of combustion in the carbon cycle?

  Releases CO₂ into atmosphere
• Combustion transfers carbon from the lithosphere to the atmosphere.


  True
• Photosynthesis removes CO₂ from the atmosphere.


  True
• Which reservoir stores carbon primarily as CO₂?

  Atmosphere
• Where is carbon stored in the lithosphere?

  Fossil fuels and rocks
• Respiration completes the carbon uptake phase by returning CO₂ to the atmosphere.
• What are the key processes that move carbon between reservoirs in the carbon cycle?

  Photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, combustion, storage
• What role do decomposers play in the carbon cycle?

  Release CO₂ from dead organisms
• What do plants release into the atmosphere during photosynthesis?

  Oxygen
• What are anthropogenic activities in the context of the carbon cycle?

  Human-caused activities
• Match the anthropogenic activity with its impact on the carbon cycle:

  Fossil Fuel Combustion ↔️ Releases stored carbon into the atmosphere

  Deforestation ↔️ Reduces land-based carbon sink

  Cement Production ↔️ Releases CO₂ into the atmosphere
• What is the primary consequence of increased atmospheric CO₂?

  Climate change
• How does transitioning to renewable energy sources help manage the carbon cycle?

  Reduces carbon emissions
• Addressing the disruption of the carbon cycle requires international cooperation and strong policies.

  True
• What process releases CO₂ from the lithosphere to the atmosphere?

  Combustion
• Where is carbon stored in the lithosphere?

  Fossil fuels and rocks
• Order the following processes based on their role in the carbon cycle:

  1️⃣ Photosynthesis: Removes CO₂ from the atmosphere

  2️⃣ Respiration: Returns CO₂ to the atmosphere

  3️⃣ Decomposition: Recycles carbon from dead organisms
• Match the carbon cycle process with its effect on atmospheric CO₂:

  Photosynthesis ↔️ Reduces CO₂

  Respiration ↔️ Increases CO₂

  Combustion ↔️ Releases CO₂
• Decomposition releases CO₂ into the atmosphere and the lithosphere.
• Which process stores carbon in plant tissues?

  Photosynthesis
• What is released into the atmosphere during respiration?

  CO₂
• The carbon cycle is the natural process where carbon is exchanged between the atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.
• Match the process with its role in the carbon cycle:

  Photosynthesis ↔️ Stores carbon in plant tissues

  Respiration ↔️ Releases CO₂ into atmosphere

  Decomposition ↔️ Recycles carbon from dead organisms

  Combustion ↔️ Transfers carbon from lithosphere
• Which process releases CO₂ as energy is produced from glucose?

  Respiration
• Respiration returns CO₂ to the atmosphere, completing the carbon uptake phase.

  True
• Order the natural carbon cycle processes based on their role in carbon movement.

  1️⃣ Photosynthesis (CO₂ removal)

  2️⃣ Respiration (CO₂ release)

  3️⃣ Decomposition (CO₂ release)

  4️⃣ Combustion (CO₂ release)

  5️⃣ Storage (CO₂ retention)
• Carbon is stored in oceans, rocks, soil, and vegetation.

  True
• How does deforestation affect the carbon cycle?

  Reduces land-based carbon sink
• Understanding and managing human impacts on the carbon cycle is crucial for addressing climate change.


  True
• Order the consequences of disrupting the carbon cycle from most direct to indirect.

  1️⃣ Increased atmospheric CO₂

  2️⃣ Climate change

  3️⃣ Ocean acidification
• What does carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology do?

  Stores CO₂ underground
• During photosynthesis, plants remove CO₂ from the atmosphere and store carbon in their tissues
• The oceans act as a major carbon sink by absorbing CO₂ from the atmosphere.


  True
• The atmosphere stores carbon in the form of carbon dioxide (CO₂).

  True
• Decomposers release CO₂ into the atmosphere and the lithosphere