Merryland International School

Department of Biology-Grade-6
The Carbon cycle-File note

Carbon is an essential element for life on Earth. Every living organism has carbon
compounds inside each of its cells, such as carbohydrates, fats and proteins. The carbon
cycle shows how atoms of carbon can exist within different compounds at different times
and be recycled between living organisms and the environment.

There is a finite amount of each elements such as carbon and nitrogen on the planet and
as such, they need to be recycled in order to allow new organisms to be made and grow.

Living organisms need carbon to:

 Make food (green plants photosynthesise)

 Make energy (through respiration)
 Make new cells for growth and repair

Carbon cycles through ecosystems, moving repeatedly from one organism to another,
and between organisms and the environment.

The carbon cycle is easiest to understand in terms of its processes and how carbon is
converted.

Carbon moves from the atmosphere to plants

Carbon enters the atmosphere as carbon dioxide from

respiration and combustion. In the atmosphere, carbon is
attached to oxygen in a gas called carbon dioxide (CO2).
Through the process of photosynthesis, Carbon dioxide is
absorbed by producers to make carbohydrates.
The carbon becomes part of complex molecules in the plants,
such as proteins, fats and carbohydrates.

Carbon moves from plants to animals.

Animals feed on plants, passing the carbon compounds along

the food chain. When animals eat plants, they take in the carbon
and some of it becomes part of their own bodies.

Carbon moves from living things to the atmosphere.

Animals and plants need to get rid of carbon dioxide gas

through a process called Respiration. During respiration,
plants and animals are releasing carbon dioxide gas (CO2)
into the atmosphere.
 Carbon moves from plants and animals to soil

When plants and animals die, their bodies, wood and

leaves are broken down to simpler substances by
decomposers. The carbon reaches the ground by
decomposition. Some are not decomposed fully and
end up in deposits underground and will become fossil
fuels in millions and millions of years (oil, coal etc). The
plant and animal material may then be available as fossil
fuel in the future for combustion.

Decomposition or decay also releases carbon dioxide. This process happens faster in
warm, moist conditions with plenty of oxygen because it involves microorganisms. Decay
can be very slow in cold, dry conditions, and when there is a shortage of oxygen.

Carbon moves from fossil fuels and volcanic activity to the

atmosphere when fuels are burned
Carbon moves from fossil fuels to the atmosphere when fuels
are burned. When humans burn fossil fuels to power factories, power
plants, cars and trucks, most of the carbon quickly enters the
atmosphere as carbon dioxide gas. Gases containing carbon move
between volcanic activities are a source of carbon into the
atmosphere.

Carbon moves from the atmosphere to the oceans

The oceans, and other bodies of water, absorb some carbon
from the atmosphere. The carbon is dissolved into the water.
Many animals pull carbon from the water. Animals die and
carbon substances are deposited at the bottom of the ocean.
Oceans contain earth’s largest store of carbon. The ocean’s
surface and the atmosphere through a process called diffusion.

 Photosynthesis – plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and make glucose,
starch and other organic compounds. This is the only process in the cycle that
decreases the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
 Feeding – moves carbon in the form of biological molecules along the food chain.
 Respiration – when living organisms (plants, animals and decomposers) respire they
release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere (this is a form of excretion).
 Fossilization – if conditions are not favorable for the process of decomposition, dead
organisms decay slowly or not at all. These organisms build up and, if compressed over
millions of years, can form fossil fuels (coal, oil or gas).
 Combustion – the burning of fossil fuels releases stored carbon dioxide into the
atmosphere.
Humans impact of carbon cycle

 Humans have changed the natural carbon cycle by burning fossil fuels, which
releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
  Fossil fuels release carbon stores very slowly.

 Increased carbon dioxide in atmosphere increases global warming.

 Trees and forest balance the amount of Carbon in the atmosphere through the
process of photosynthesis in which plants make their own food with carbon dioxide.

 Fewer plants mean less CO2 removed from atmosphere.

Importance of carbon cycle

 Life on earth would not be possible without carbon.

 Carbon Cycle is an important aspect of the survival of all life on earth.

 From an environmental perspective, carbon provides insulation by trapping the

sun's heat.

 From a biological perspective, carbon is the building block of life and forms stable
bonds with other elements necessary for life.

Deforestation

Deforestation is the permanent removal of trees to make

room for something besides forest. This can include clearing
the land for agriculture or grazing, or using the timber for fuel,
construction or manufacturing.

Global warming

 Global warming is the term used to describe the rising of the average temperature
on Earth.

Which gases in the atmosphere trap heat?

The atmosphere is made of 78% Nitrogen and 21% Oxygen.

But these gases don’t trap heat and cause global warming or climate change.

The gases which trap heat make up less than 1% of the atmosphere! They are called the
‘greenhouse gases’.

The main greenhouse gases are:

Carbon dioxide

Methane

Nitrous oxide

Ozone

Halocarbons
Green house effects

 Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas and traps heat in the atmosphere.

 Without it and other greenhouse gases, Earth would be a frozen world.

 But since the start of the Industrial Revolution about 150 years ago humans have
burned so much fuel and released so much carbon dioxide into the air that global
climate has risen over one degree Fahrenheit.

 Carbon dioxide is having a significant impact on the warming of our planet.

How do humans increase carbon levels in the atmosphere?

 Burning fossil fuels releases the carbon dioxide stored millions of years ago. Most of
the increased carbon dioxide comes from fossil fuels.
 Deforestation releases the carbon stored in trees. Less trees also means less carbon
dioxide can be removed from the atmosphere.

How do humans increase methane levels in the atmosphere?

 Methane is produced when bacteria rot organic matter.

 Methane is also released when fossil fuels are extracted
 Increased livestock farming.
 Increased rice growing
 Increased rubbish in landfill.
 The amount of methane in the atmosphere has increased by two and a half times
since the Industrial Revolution.

How Can We Stop Global Warming?

 Recycle more. The aim is to cut down the amount of carbon dioxide released in the
environment.

 Drive less.

 Plant trees.

 Switch to renewable energy.

 Use energy-efficient devices.

 Use less hot water.

 Turn off electronic devices.

 Spread awareness.

 Save water