Carbon Cycle2012-2013

CarbonCarbon is an element. It is part of

oceans, air, rocks, soil and all living things. Carbon doesn’t stay in one place. It is always on the move!

C

Importance of CarbonBuilding block for life

◦Forms fossil fuels◦Is used in complex molecules, such as

DNA and RNA, to control genetic reproduction in organisms. RNA: to read the genetic information found

in DNA and to produce specific organic molecules used in the development and functioning of cells. It is a copy of a portion of DNA.

DNA: Coding for genetics and direct the development and functioning of cells.

Carbon Cycle

geos.ed.ac.uk

Carbon moves from the atmosphere to plants.In the atmosphere, carbon is

attached to oxygen in a gas called carbon dioxide (CO2). With the help of the Sun, through the process of photosynthesis, carbon dioxide is pulled from the air to make plant food from carbon.

Carbon dioxide + Water + Light energy → Glucose + Oxygen◦6 CO2 + 6 H2O → C6H12O6 + 6 O2

How Carbon movesPlants to animals

◦Food chain: producers to consumersPlants and Animals to ground

(Soil) ◦Died and then decompose◦Some gets buried miles underground

and turns into fossil fuels in millions and millions of years.

Continue on how Carbon movesLiving things to atmosphere

◦ Respiration: animal and plants get rid of CO2 by exhaling

Humans to the atmosphere◦ Burning fossil fuels

From factories, power plants, cars and trucks

◦ Each year 5 ½ billion tons of C is released…equals 100 million adult African elephants!

◦ Of the total amount released 3.3 billion tons enters the atmosphere and the rest becomes dissolved in seawater.

Carbon in the AtmosphereGreenhouse effect: “ the

warming of the surface and lower atmosphere of Earth that occurs when CO2, water vapor, and other gases in the air absorb and reradiate infrared radiation (Holt, pg. 558).”

CO2 is a greenhouse gas and helps to trap heat in the atmosphere.◦Too much = hot?

Carbon Cycle QuestionWe enjoy the taste of an apple

because it is sweet. From where did the apple tree get the carbon to make sugar? ◦A. air◦B. water◦C. soil◦D. nitrate fertilizer

Carbon Cycle QuestionThe most abundant element in a

wooden stick is carbon. Where did the carbon come from?◦A. water◦B. air◦C. soil◦D. fertilizer

Carbon Cycle QuestionWhere do animals get the carbon

found in their bodies?◦A. from the air◦B. from eating food◦C. from the soil◦D. from vitamins and minerals

Carbon Cycle QuestionFor millions of years the carbon cycle has

been in balance. Climatologists are concerned because data indicates the amount of carbon in the air is increasing. Which theory best explains this loss of atmospheric balance?◦ A. CFAs have created a hole in the ozone.◦ B. Society has increased the burning of fossil

fuels.◦ C. Environmentalists have increased the size

of rain forests.◦ D. Our society has recognized the danger of

nuclear fission.

Carbon Cycle QuestionIf the carbon dioxide in the

atmosphere increases due to human activities, what do scientists predict will be the result?◦A. increased cases of sunburn◦B. warmer temperatures◦C. increased incidence of

earthquakes◦D. more snowfall in the winter