Carbon Cycle

1. Carbon Cycle - Summary AthiraAnand

2. Carbon is found in various forms on the earth’s surface. Eg: Element  Diamonds, graphite Combined  CO2 (atmosphere) Carbonate and Hydrogen Carbonate salts (minerals) • All life forms on earth have carbon in them. They are based on carbon containing molecules – like proteins, carbohydrates, fats, nucleic acids and vitamins. • The endoskeleton and exoskeleton of some animals are also formed from carbonate salts. • Carbon is incorporated into life forms (that contain chlorophyll) through photosynthesis • Photosynthesis – making food in the presence of sunlight, air, water, minerals and chlorophyll. • Photosynthesis converts the CO2from the atmosphere /dissolved in water into glucose molecules.

3. The glucose molecules are either converted to other molecules or are used for synthesis of other biologically important molecules. • The utilisation of glucose includes respiration in which O2 may or may not be used to convert glucose back into CO2. After this, CO2goes back to the atmosphere. • Another process that adds to the CO2in the atmosphere is the combustion of fuels (for cooking, transportation , industrial processes) • The % of CO2in the atmosphere has doubled since the industrial revolution. • Carbon just like water, is cycled repeatedly through different forms by various physical and biological activities. • Some gases prevent the heat from the Earth’s atmosphere (green house gases - trap heat) • Greenhouse effect  An increase in the % of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere leading to the increase in average world temperatures.

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