How does the carbon cycle work?

Answer 1

Carbon cycle processes

If a diagram were drawn showing the different processes that move carbon from one form to another, its main processes would be photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, natural weathering of rocks, and the combustion of fossil fuels.

Photosynthesis. Carbon exists in the atmosphere as the compound carbon dioxide. It first enters the ecological food web (the connected network of producers and consumers) when photosynthetic organisms, such as plants and certain algae, absorb carbon dioxide through tiny pores in their leaves. The plants then "fix" or capture the carbon dioxide and are able to convert it into simple sugars like glucose through the biochemical process known as photosynthesis. Plants store and use this sugar to grow and to reproduce. Thus, by their very nature as makers of their own food, plants remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. When plants are eaten by animals, their carbon is passed on to those animals. Since animals cannot

The carbon cycle. (Reproduced by permission of The Gale Group.)

make their own food, they must get their carbon either directly by eating plants or indirectly by eating animals that have eaten plants.

Respiration. Respiration is the next step in the cycle, and unlike photosynthesis, it occurs in plants, animals, and even decomposers. Although we usually think only of breathing oxygen when we hear the word "respiration," it has a broader meaning that involves oxygen. To a biologist, respiration is the process in which oxygen is used to break down organic compounds into carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). For an animal then, respiration is both taking in oxygen (and releasing carbon dioxide) and oxidizing its food (or burning it with oxygen) in order to release the energy the food contains. In both cases, carbon is returned to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. Carbon atoms that started out as components of carbon dioxide molecules have passed through the body of living organisms and been returned to the atmosphere, ready to be recycled again.

Decomposition. Decomposition is the largest source through which carbon is returned to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. Decomposers are microorganisms that live mostly in the soil but also in water, and which feed on the rotting remains of plants and animals. It is their job to consume both waste products and dead matter, during which they also return carbon dioxide to the atmosphere by respiration. Decomposers not only play a key role in the carbon cycle, but also break down, remove, and recycle what might be called nature's garbage.

Weathering of rocks. Not all carbon atoms are always moving somewhere in the carbon cycle. Often, many become trapped in limerock, a type of stone formed on the ocean floor by the shells of marine plankton. Sometimes after millions of years, the waters recede and the limerock is eventually exposed to the elements. When limerock is exposed to the natural process of weathering, it slowly releases the carbon atoms it contains, and they become an active part of the carbon cycle once again

Human-caused increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. In recent history, humans have added to the carbon cycle by burning fossil fuels. Ever since the rapid growth of the Industrial Revolution in the nineteenth century when people first harnessed steam to power their engines, human beings have been burning carbon-containing fuels like coal and oil (called fossil fuels) for artificial power. This constant burning produces massive amounts of carbon dioxide, which are released into Earth's atmosphere. Over the last 150 years, the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas has released some 270 billion tons (245 billion metric tons) of carbon into the air in the form of carbon dioxide.

Luckily, more than half of the carbon dioxide emitted by the burning of fossil fuels is absorbed by the oceans, by plants, and by soils. Regardless, scientists feel fossil fuel consumption could be an example of a human activity that affects and possibly alters the natural processes (photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition) that nature had previously kept in balance. Carbon dioxide is a "greenhouse gas" which means that it traps heat and prevents it from escaping from Earth. As a result, this trapped gas leads to a global temperature rise, a natural phenomenon known as the greenhouse effect, which can have disastrous effects on Earth's environment.

Answer 2

Because without it we would all die

Answer 3

Carbon cycles through ecosystems in a lot of ways but the basics are as such.

Starting in the atmosphere, carbon is setting in the air hanging around as CO2. Plants take CO2 and mix it with Water (H2O) to make Sugar (C6H12O6). Plants can now use sugar to either go on to store energy, or harness the energy in the bonds to carry out day to day activites (growing, gathering CO2, transporting water, transporting energy and nutrients from the soil to the tips of the leaves). So now we have carbon that was in the air/atmosphere inside of plants. However, when a plant breaks apart a sugar molecule to harness the energy, it let's some of the carbon back out as CO2. Next, some organisms (animals, bacteria, etc) can consume the plant and take the carbon in the form of sugar for themselves. They use the carbon to do the same things (give themselves energy for moving, growing, eating, etc.). Now because the animals use the sugars of the plant much faster than the plants did, they release a lot more CO2 when they break apart the sugar. They do this by exhaling CO2 back into the atmosphere. Some Carbon is stored in the body which won't return to an ecosystem until an animal dies and detritovores (bacteria, fungus, etc) start to decompose the bodies. They can then store the carbon in themselves, put it in the soil, or release it into the air.

So in summary

Plants pull out the CO2 from the atmosphere in order to photosynthesize sugar for energy use.

Plants and animals break apart the sugars to harness their energy and in turn respire CO2 back into the atmosphere

Answer 4

During the carbon cycle, carbon is recycled and reused amongst different areas of the Earth's environment. The areas include the biosphere, the pedosphere, the hydrosphere, the atmosphere, and the geosphere.

Answer 5

The carbon cycle involves the movement of carbon dioxide between the atmosphere, oceans, and land. Carbon dioxide is absorbed by plants during photosynthesis and then passed on through the food chain when animals consume plants. When plants and animals die, their remains are decomposed by bacteria and fungi, returning carbon to the soil. Carbon may also be stored in fossil fuels, like coal and oil, and released into the atmosphere when these fuels are burned.

Answer 6

I have no idea :P :P :P :P

try again dude:P :P :P

Answer 7

animal nd plant respiration, photosynthesis, burning of fossil fuels

Answer 8

Plants respirate Oxygen, Animals respirate CO2....and vice-versa...this is called a symbiotic relationship. Research "organic chemistry" for specifics.