Photosynthesis and Respiration Quiz

Carbon Cycle and Matter

Photosynthesis

• Process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy
• Equation: 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 (glucose) + 6 O2
• Crucial for life on Earth, as it:
  • Produces oxygen for aerobic organisms
  • Fixes carbon into organic compounds, supporting the food chain
  • Regulates Earth's climate by removing CO2 from the atmosphere

Respiration

• Process by which cells generate energy from glucose, releasing CO2 and H2O
• Equation: C6H12O6 (glucose) + 6 O2 → 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + ATP (energy)
• Occurs in all living organisms, from bacteria to humans
• Reverses the process of photosynthesis, releasing stored energy and CO2 back into the atmosphere

Decomposition

• Process by which microorganisms break down dead organic matter into simpler substances
• Releases CO2, H2O, and nutrients back into the environment
• Essential for recycling nutrients and maintaining ecosystem balance
• Occurs in various environments, including soil, water, and the atmosphere

Atoms and Isotopes

• Atoms: smallest units of matter, consisting of protons, neutrons, and electrons
• Isotopes: atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons, affecting their mass
• Carbon has three main isotopes:
  1. Carbon-12 (98.93% abundance): stable, with 6 protons and 6 neutrons
  2. Carbon-13 (1.07% abundance): stable, with 6 protons and 7 neutrons
  3. Carbon-14 (trace amounts): radioactive, with 6 protons and 8 neutrons, used in radiocarbon dating
• Isotopes play a crucial role in understanding the carbon cycle, as they can be used to trace carbon's movement through ecosystems

Photosynthesis

• Converts light energy into chemical energy, producing glucose and oxygen
• Equation: 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 (glucose) + 6 O2
• Supports life on Earth by producing oxygen and fixing carbon into organic compounds
• Regulates Earth's climate by removing CO2 from the atmosphere

Respiration

• Generates energy from glucose, releasing CO2 and H2O
• Equation: C6H12O6 (glucose) + 6 O2 → 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + ATP (energy)
• Occurs in all living organisms, from bacteria to humans
• Reverses photosynthesis, releasing stored energy and CO2 back into the atmosphere

Decomposition

• Breaks down dead organic matter into simpler substances, releasing CO2, H2O, and nutrients
• Essential for recycling nutrients and maintaining ecosystem balance
• Occurs in various environments, including soil, water, and the atmosphere

Atoms and Isotopes

• Atoms are the smallest units of matter, consisting of protons, neutrons, and electrons
• Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons, affecting their mass
• Carbon has three main isotopes: Carbon-12, Carbon-13, and Carbon-14
• Isotopes play a crucial role in understanding the carbon cycle, tracing carbon's movement through ecosystems
• Carbon-14 is radioactive, used in radiocarbon dating