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9 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Carbon |
Key element for living. Can be found in the atmosphere and dissolved in oceans as part of inorganic carbon (CO2). 50-70 million tons of carbon from inorganic substances are recycled for more complex substances, this is done by photosynthesis. |
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What happens during photosynthesis? |
Plants take in light energy to combine CO2 from the atmosphere and water from the soil. Some organic carbon I'd released back into the environment through cellular resperation as CO2. Oxygen is also released. |
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Photosynthesis |
Carbon dioxide + water + light energy react to produce sugar (glucose) + oxygen. |
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Cellular Resperation |
Glucose + oxygen react to produce water + carbon dioxide. |
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Carbon Cylce |
The relationship between photosynthesis and cellular resperation. |
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Why are decomposers important to the carbon cycle? |
They break down dead organisms, and those dead organisms release carbon. |
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Inorganic Carbon Reservois |
Inorganic reservoirs are abiotic. Atmosphere - smallest reservoir Oceans - for photosynthesis in water (algae) Sedimentary rocks - largest reservoir |
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Organic Carbon Reservoirs |
Reservoirs for organic carbon are biotic (living). Biotic organisms eventually die and break down releasing carbon in inorganic form. Exception to ecosystems such as bog because they store so much carbon in organic form there is little oxygen to decompose. |
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How have humans affected the carbon cycle? |
Releasing organic carbon Reservoirs faster than naturally by, mining, burning fossil fuels, and burning forests. Releasing inorganic carbon reservoirs by clear cutting (cutting away vegetation). Destroying vegetation reduces the amount of photosynthesis, reducing the amount of CO2 from the air. |
