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Questions and Answers
What is the primary source of energy for photosynthesis?
Where does respiration occur in cells?
What is the primary mechanism by which fossil fuels contribute to increased atmospheric CO2 levels?
What process breaks down organic matter, releasing CO2 into the atmosphere?
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What happens to CO2 absorbed by oceans?
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What is the term for the process of capturing and storing CO2 emissions?
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Where is organic carbon commonly found?
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What type of carbon is found in bicarbonate and carbonate ions?
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What is the net equation for photosynthesis?
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What is the primary function of decomposition in the carbon cycle?
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How do oceans absorb CO2 from the atmosphere?
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What is the net equation for respiration?
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What is the primary impact of fossil fuel combustion on the carbon cycle?
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What is the role of microorganisms in decomposition?
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What is the significance of the ocean's absorption of CO2?
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What is the ultimate source of energy for respiration?
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How does human activity impact the carbon cycle?
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What is the outcome of fossil fuel combustion in terms of carbon emissions?
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Study Notes
Biological Carbon Cycle
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Photosynthesis:
- Process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert CO2 into organic compounds (glucose) using sunlight energy
- Releases O2 as a byproduct
- Occurs in chloroplasts of plant cells
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Respiration:
- Process by which cells generate energy from glucose, releasing CO2 and H2O as byproducts
- Occurs in mitochondria of cells
Geological Carbon Cycle
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Fossil Fuel Combustion:
- Burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) releases stored carbon into the atmosphere
- Human activity: major contributor to increased atmospheric CO2 levels
-
Decomposition:
- Breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms, releasing CO2 into the atmosphere
- Occurs in soil, sediments, and oceans
Ocean Absorption
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Ocean Carbon Sink:
- Oceans absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, forming carbonic acid
- Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) formation reduces ocean acidity
Human Impact on the Carbon Cycle
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Increased CO2 Emissions:
- Fossil fuel combustion, land use changes (deforestation), industrial processes
- Enhances natural greenhouse effect, contributing to climate change
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Carbon Sequestration:
- Efforts to mitigate climate change by capturing and storing CO2 emissions
Forms of Carbon in Carbon Sinks
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Organic Carbon:
- Found in living organisms, soil, and sediments
- Includes biomass, dead organic matter, and fossil fuels
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Inorganic Carbon:
- Found in oceans, atmosphere, and minerals
- Includes CO2, bicarbonate, and carbonate ions
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Carbonates:
- Formed through weathering of rocks, ocean absorption
- Includes calcium carbonate, limestone, and dolomite
Biological Carbon Cycle
- Plants, algae, and some bacteria convert CO2 into glucose using sunlight energy through photosynthesis
- Photosynthesis releases O2 as a byproduct and occurs in chloroplasts of plant cells
- Cells generate energy from glucose, releasing CO2 and H2O as byproducts through respiration
- Respiration occurs in mitochondria of cells
Geological Carbon Cycle
- Burning fossil fuels releases stored carbon into the atmosphere, contributing to increased atmospheric CO2 levels
- Human activity is a major contributor to increased atmospheric CO2 levels through fossil fuel combustion
- Microorganisms break down organic matter, releasing CO2 into the atmosphere through decomposition
- Decomposition occurs in soil, sediments, and oceans
Ocean Absorption
- Oceans absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, forming carbonic acid
- Formation of calcium carbonate reduces ocean acidity
Human Impact on the Carbon Cycle
- Human activities such as fossil fuel combustion, land use changes, and industrial processes increase CO2 emissions
- Increased CO2 emissions enhance the natural greenhouse effect, contributing to climate change
- Carbon sequestration efforts aim to mitigate climate change by capturing and storing CO2 emissions
Forms of Carbon in Carbon Sinks
- Organic carbon is found in living organisms, soil, and sediments and includes biomass, dead organic matter, and fossil fuels
- Inorganic carbon is found in oceans, atmosphere, and minerals and includes CO2, bicarbonate, and carbonate ions
- Carbonates are formed through weathering of rocks and ocean absorption and include calcium carbonate, limestone, and dolomite
Carbon Cycle
Biological Carbon Cycle
- Involves the movement of carbon between the atmosphere, oceans, land, and living organisms
- Carbon is exchanged through processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, and decomposition
Photosynthesis
- Converts sunlight, CO2, and H2O into glucose and O2
- Net equation: 6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 (glucose) + 6O2
- Fixes carbon into organic compounds, such as glucose, used by organisms to fuel growth and development
Respiration
- Breaks down glucose and other organic compounds to release energy
- Net equation: C6H12O6 (glucose) + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy
- Releases carbon back into the atmosphere as CO2
Decomposition
- Breaks down dead organic matter, releasing carbon back into the atmosphere as CO2
- Occurs in soil, water, and the atmosphere
Ocean Absorption
- Oceans absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, reacting with water to form carbonic acid and bicarbonate
- Oceans act as a significant carbon sink, absorbing approximately 25% of CO2 released into the atmosphere each year
Fossil Fuel Combustion
- Burns fossil fuels, releasing CO2 into the atmosphere
- Significant source of human-induced CO2 emissions
Geological Carbon Cycle
- Involves the movement of carbon between the Earth's crust, mantle, and atmosphere over millions of years
- Carbon is stored in rocks, such as limestone and dolomite, and is released through geological processes, such as volcanic activity and weathering
Human Impact on the Carbon Cycle
- Human activities, such as deforestation, land-use changes, and fossil fuel combustion, have significantly increased atmospheric CO2
- Human-induced CO2 emissions are a major contributor to climate change
Forms of Carbon in Carbon Sinks
- Carbon is stored in various forms, including:
- Organic matter (e.g., plants, soil, and animals)
- Inorganic carbon compounds (e.g., carbonates, bicarbonates, and CO2)
- Fossil fuels (e.g., coal, oil, and natural gas)
- Carbonate minerals (e.g., limestone and dolomite)
- Dissolved inorganic carbon (e.g., in oceans and freshwater)
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Description
Explore the biological and geological processes of the carbon cycle, including photosynthesis, respiration, and fossil fuel combustion. Learn how these processes affect the environment and the flow of carbon.
