The Carbon Cycle

• Photosynthesis

  Plants and algae take in carbon dioxide and convert it into sugars using sunlight and water
• Cellular Respiration

  Animals and plants use aerobic cellular respiration to release energy for biological processes, also releasing CO₂
• Decomposition

  Fungi and bacteria decompose dead organisms & organic waste, releasing organic compounds and CO
• Fossilization

  Under specific conditions, dead organisms can fossilize over thousands & millions of years and can form fossil fuels
• Combustion

  The burning of fossil fuels, releasing vast amounts of CO₂ into the atmosphere
• Carbon makes up 18% of your mass
• Diamond is the hardest known material to man, and is a form of pure carbon