THE CARBON THE CARBON CYCLECYCLE

Remember: Write down everything in Remember: Write down everything in white white

The carbon cycleThe carbon cycle

The carbon cycle is essential for life on Earth. Carbon is found in all living things, and in their dead bodies and wastes.

Carbon is also found in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (CO2).

Plants Plants Plants use carbon dioxide from Plants use carbon dioxide from

the atmosphere when they the atmosphere when they photosynthesise photosynthesise to make glucose to make glucose to provide them with energy. to provide them with energy.

AnimalsAnimals

Animals and other consumer organisms obtain the carbon they need from the food they eat.

Carbon returning to the Carbon returning to the atmosphereatmosphere

Respiration releases carbon back into the atmosphere and hydrosphereas carbon dioxide, where it again becomes available for photosynthesis.

Carbon in the soilCarbon in the soil

Organisms release carbon into the soil in wastes such as faeces, urine and fallen leaves.

These wastes are used as food by decomposer organisms.

As the decomposer organisms respire, carbon is released into the atmosphere, water and soil.

The cycleThe cycle

However, there is not an endless supply of carbon. Carbon is recycled through the soil, through living things and the atmosphere in the carbon cycle

ACTIVITYACTIVITY

Go onto the website Go onto the website www.misslennox.weebly.com and click on year 10- Earth Science.and click on year 10- Earth Science.

Go to the link 1. The carbon cycle activityGo to the link 1. The carbon cycle activity

If this doesnIf this doesn’’t work type into google “kids news t work type into google “kids news room climate change movies carbon cycle” and room climate change movies carbon cycle” and select the first option. select the first option.

Use the animation to create a labelled diagram of Use the animation to create a labelled diagram of the carbon cycle. You may also wish to use the the carbon cycle. You may also wish to use the picture in your textbook in Chapter 6 page 178picture in your textbook in Chapter 6 page 178