discuss the carbon cycle.
discuss the carbon cycle.
Carbon is the basis of all life on Earth, needed to build complex molecules like proteins and DNA. This component is also found in our atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide. Carbon helps regulate global warming, makes life possible, is a significant ingredient in our nutritious food, and provides an important energy source for our global economy.
The carbon cycle describes how carbon atoms continue to move from space to Earth and back to space. Since our planet and its atmosphere form a closed space, this system's carbon amount does not change. Where carbon is found - in space or on Earth it is always moving. Most carbon dioxide is stored in rocks and sediments on Earth, and some are located in the oceans, atmosphere, and living things. These are water reservoirs, or sinks, that use carbon circuits. Carbon is released into the atmosphere when the creatures die, volcanic eruptions, wildfires, fossil fuels, and various other forms.
- Photosynthesis-Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air through photosynthesis. Although carbon dioxide forms less than 1% of the atmosphere, it plays a significant role in biodiversity. With CO2 and H2O in the atmosphere, photosynthesis produces sugar-like sugars. This is a plant material that plants make for themselves.
- Decomposition-By making the most of the sun, water, and carbon dioxide, plants can grow. The animals use energy food using O2 and provide CO2. In other words, they die, rot, and decompose for millions of years. Decomposition is the process of breaking down plants. Over time, the layers of creatures build on each other. Because of the pressure and heat from inside the Earth's crust, this produces energy. Anaerobic decomposition involves bacteria that break down organic matter such as glucose into CO2 and methane (CH4). The nutrient cycle regenerates living organisms in the soil through a process of decomposition. After that, it goes back through the same process again.
- Respiration-Animals rely on plants for food, energy, and oxygen. Our cells need oxygen to break down the food we eat through cellular respiration. Once consumed, carbon dioxide is released into the air as a result of cellular respiration. The CO2 produced from respiratory cells can be used in photosynthesis as well. In other words, plants use solar energy to separate the same carbon dioxide from the air. Through photosynthesis, it uses that carbon in plant material and rereleases oxygen.
- Combustion-We emit fossil fuels, which include burning energy to release energy. But the result of combustion is that it releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. And too much CO2 increases the heat effect because we deplete our oil reserves that add CO2 to the air every day, affecting the carbon cycle by the imbalance of oxygen and carbon. Carbon dioxide is one of the greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. For millions of years, phytoplankton that lives on the ocean photosynthesizes and absorbs CO2.
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