The carbon cycle
Carbon is passed from the atmosphere, as carbon dioxide, to living things. It is then passed from one Living entity, eg animals, plants or microorganisms. to the next in complex A collection of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds., and returned to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide again. This is known as the carbon cycle.
Image caption, Stage one of the carbon cycle
Carbon enters the atmosphere as carbon dioxide from respiration and combustion.
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Removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
Plants use carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for A chemical process used by plants to make glucose and oxygen from carbon dioxide and water, using light energy. Oxygen is produced as a by-product of photosynthesis. Algae subsumed within plants and some bacteria are also photosynthetic.. The carbon becomes part of complex molecules in the plants, such as proteins, fats and carbohydrates.
Passing carbon from one organism to the next
Animals get their carbon by eating plants or other animals.
Returning carbon dioxide to the atmosphere
Carbon dioxide is released to the atmosphere through The chemical change that takes place inside living cells, which uses glucose and oxygen to release the energy that organisms need to live. Carbon dioxide is a by-product of respiration. by animals, plants and Another name for a microbe. It is microscopic and is an organism, such as a virus or bacteria.. It is also released by the A reaction where fuels are burned in oxygen. Complete combustion occurs when fuels are burned in a plentiful supply of oxygen or air. of wood and fossil fuels (such as coal, oil and natural gas). The use of fossil fuels is gradually increasing the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.
The process of breaking down material to release nutrients back into the soil. or decay also releases carbon dioxide. This process happens faster in warm, moist conditions with plenty of oxygen because it involves micro-organisms. Decay can be very slow in cold, dry conditions, and when there is a shortage of oxygen.