Chris Biology: 4.9 Carbon Cycle

Key Points:

Photosynthesis. Co2 and H20 are combined in photosynthesis using chlorophyll and the light energy is trapped and is used to form organic molecules such as glucose

Carbon dioxide comes from the atmosphere, makes up 0.03% of the atmosphere. Photo synthesis is responsible for reducing the atmospheric CO2.

Feeding. The food chain and the passage of carbon through the various trophic levels. The Producer -> Primary consumer, and in doing so the primary consumer takes the carbon from the producer and uses it to grow. Eaten by secondary consumer, and the carbon passes along the food chain

At each stage in the chain, each form carries out respiration.
C6H12O6 + O2---enzymes---> energy and carbon dioxide. Respiration adds CO2 to the atmosphere.

Producers respire sending out carbon dioxide sending out carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, therefore all organisms are putting CO2 to the atmosphere through the process of respiration

Decomposition. All of the organisms in the food chain eventually will die, and organic molecules which remain are broken down by the decomposer organisms which include the bacteria and the fungi. And this results in the release of the carbon dioxide back to the atmosphere.

Combustion. Fossil fuels (oils and coals)-> CO2 they are combusted. The best known examples are the industrial applications but also there is the motor vehicle such as cars, Lorries, airplanes which all combust fuel to release energy. Combustion can also occur in the environment such as the idea of lightening striking the vegetation causing fire, also forest fires and grassland fires. These are some of the stages of the carbon cycle.

For an animation on the Carbon cycle go to this URL: http://www.biology.ualberta.ca/facilities/multimedia/uploads/alberta/CarbonCycle.html

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