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Carbon Cycle (Edexcel IGCSE Biology)
Revision Note
The Carbon Cycle
- Carbon is an essential part of the biological molecules from which cells are built, e.g. carbohydrates, proteins and fats
- Carbon is cycled through ecosystems via the processes of the carbon cycle
Uptake of carbon by living organisms
- Carbon is taken out of the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide by plants during photosynthesis
- The carbon is used to make glucose, which can be turned into carbohydrates, fats and proteins within the biomass of plants
Transfer of carbon between living organisms
- Carbon is passed from plants to animals when herbivores feed
- Carbon passes between animals when carnivores feed
Release of carbon into the atmosphere
- Carbon returns to the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide during respiration
- Respiration occurs in plants and animals
- Microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, use dead and waste material to fuel respiration, releasing CO2 during decomposition
- If animals and plants die in conditions where decomposers are not present the carbon in their bodies can be converted into fossil fuels; these can be burned to release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere by combustion
Carbon is cycles through ecosystems by processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition and combustion
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