Carbon Cycle Research Task

The Carbon Cycle is a biogeochemical where carbon is returned to the atmosphere, sea and
living creatures by photosynthesis, decomposition, respiration from animals and plants and
the combustion of fossil fuels.

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants and some bacteria can produce sugars such as
glucose and oxygen by converting light into chemical fuel. They store this energy in
molecules known as carbohydrates which are composed of carbon dioxide and water.
6CO2(Carbon Dioxide)+6H20(Water)—>C6H12O6(Sugar)+6O2(Oxygen)

Decomposition is the process by which dead organic matter is broken down into simpler
organic or inorganic matter, for example water, minerals, sugars and carbon dioxide. This is
not only a part of the carbon cycle, but is a key part of the nutrient cycle which covers the
exchange of inorganic and organic matter. Decomposers such as worms or ants are organisms
that have only the main purposes of feeding other creatures throughout a food chain/web but
also help to decompose biotic substances.

Respiration in physiology is the process by which oxygen is transported from the outside
environment to tissue cells inside living organisms and the transportation of carbon dioxide
out into the environment.

Combustion is a chemical reaction between a reductant, or fuel, and an oxidant, or an

atmospheric gas such as oxygen. These reactions result in the production of an oxidised gas
usually in the form of smoke. Combustion doesn’t always result in fire, but when it does, the
resulting flame’s characteristics e.g. temperature and colour help to indicate what the source
of the reaction was.