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geography
The Carbon Cycle
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Cards (29)
What are the two main processes involved in the carbon cycle?
Uptake
and
release
of carbon
How do plants contribute to the carbon cycle?
They absorb carbon dioxide during
photosynthesis
What is the carbon cycle?
The process of carbon moving through
Earth
Why is the carbon cycle important for life on Earth?
It provides building blocks for
organic molecules
How does the carbon cycle regulate Earth's temperature?
By controlling
atmospheric
C
O
2
CO_{2}
C
O
2
levels
What are the key roles of the carbon cycle?
Provides building blocks for
organic molecules
Regulates
Earth's
temperature
Fuels
metabolic processes
in organisms
What is the chemical equation for photosynthesis?
6
C
O
2
+
6CO_{2} +
6
C
O
2
+
6
H
2
O
→
C
6
H
12
O
6
+
6H_{2}O \rightarrow C_{6}H_{12}O_{6} +
6
H
2
O
→
C
6
H
12
O
6
+
6
O
2
6O_{2}
6
O
2
What is the slow carbon cycle?
Carbon movement over
millions
of years
What is the fast carbon cycle?
Carbon movement between
atmosphere
, plants,
oceans
How does volcanic activity relate to the slow carbon cycle?
It releases carbon back into the
atmosphere
What processes are involved in the slow carbon cycle?
Weathering
,
sedimentary rock formation
,
burial
What is the role of decomposition in the carbon cycle?
It
releases
carbon
back
to
soil
and
air
What are the processes of the carbon cycle?
Photosynthesis
: Uptake of
C
O
2
CO_{2}
C
O
2
Respiration
: Release of
C
O
2
CO_{2}
C
O
2
Decomposition
: Release of carbon from organic matter
Combustion
: Release of
C
O
2
CO_{2}
C
O
2
from burning materials
What happens during respiration in the carbon cycle?
Organisms release
C
O
2
CO_{2}
C
O
2
back into the atmosphere
How do fossil fuels impact the carbon cycle?
They release stored carbon into the
atmosphere
What is the chemical reaction when coal is burned?
C
+
C +
C
+
O
2
→
C
O
2
O_{2} \rightarrow CO_{2}
O
2
→
C
O
2
What are the differences between long term and short term carbon cycle changes?
Long Term Changes:
Time Scale:
Millions
of years
Key Processes:
Geological
processes
Causes: Natural events
Effect on
C
O
2
CO_{2}
C
O
2
: Gradual shifts
Short Term Changes:
Time Scale: Decades to centuries
Key Processes: Human activities
Causes:
Anthropogenic
factors
Effect on
C
O
2
CO_{2}
C
O
2
: Rapid increases
What are fossil fuels?
Carbon
stores formed from
decomposed
organic matter
What are the key processes in the fast carbon cycle?
Photosynthesis
,
respiration
,
decomposition
What is the effect of deforestation on the carbon cycle?
It increases
atmospheric
C
O
2
CO_{2}
C
O
2
levels
What are the impacts of human activities on the carbon cycle?
They disrupt the
balance
of carbon in the environment
What is the relationship between the carbon cycle and climate change?
Increased
C
O
2
CO_{2}
C
O
2
from
fossil fuels
contributes to warming
What is the main process that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?
Photosynthesis
What are the main processes that release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere?
Respiration
by plants and animals
Decaying
organisms
Daid organisms and waste products
Fossils
and fossil fuels
How does the ocean play a role in the carbon cycle?
Ocean uptake of
carbon dioxide
If a factory increases its carbon dioxide emissions, how would this affect the carbon cycle?
It would increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere
How does the burial of organic matter affect the carbon cycle?
It forms
fossil fuels
over long periods
What is the name of the cycle shown in the image?
Carbon cycle
How do the processes of photosynthesis and respiration by plants and animals work together in the carbon cycle?
Photosynthesis removes
CO2
from the atmosphere, while respiration by plants and animals releases CO2 back into the atmosphere