DO NOW

1)What is carbon?
2)What does it mean when Matter is
neither created nor destroyed?
3)How do plants obtain carbon?
4)What do plants make with carbon?
5)How do humans obtain carbon?
6)How do humans get rid of the waste,
carbon dioxide?

THE CARBON
CYCLE

WHAT IS CARBON?
An element
The basis of life of earth

Found in rocks, oceans, atmosphere, and all living

organisms.

CARBON CYCLE
The same carbon atoms are used repeatedly on earth.
They cycle between the earth and the atmosphere.

PLANTS USE CARBON DIOXIDE

Plants pull carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.
Using sunlight with the CO2 they make glucose.
This process is photosynthesis.
The carbon can be used by the plant (food) and used to
build the plant (cellulose).
Also gives off CO2 from cellular respiration.

ANIMALS EAT PLANTS

When organisms eat plants, they take in the
carbon and some of it becomes part of their own
bodies.
They generate CO2 from cellular respiration(break
down of glucose) and exhale this CO2 into the
atmosphere.

ANIMALS EAT ANIMALS

When organisms eat animals, they take in the
carbon and some of it becomes part of their own
bodies.
They generate CO2 from cellular respiration
(break down of glucose) and exhale this CO2 into
the atmosphere.

PLANTS AND ANIMAL DIE

When plants and animals die, most of their
bodies are decomposed and carbon atoms are
returned to the atmosphere.(CO2)
Some are not decomposed fully and end up as
deposits underground (oil, coal, etc.= fossil
fuels=Carbon)

CARBON SLOWLY RETURNS TO

ATMOSPHERE

Carbon in rocks and underground

deposits is released very slowly into the
atmosphere.
This process takes many years.

CARBON IN OCEANS
Additional carbon is stored in the ocean.
CO2 passes into the water from the

atmosphere.
Plants & phytoplankton use for photosynthesis.
Many animals pull carbon from water to use in
shells, etc.
Animals die and carbon substances are
deposited at the bottom of the ocean.
Oceans contain earths largest store of carbon.

BURNING WOOD AND FOSSIL

FUELS
Releases carbon compounds in air, water, and soil

HUMAN IMPACT
Fossil fuels release carbon stores very slowly
Burning anything releases more carbon into atmosphere
especially fossil fuels
Increased carbon dioxide in atmosphere increases global
warming
Fewer plants mean less CO2 removed from atmosphere

WHAT WE NEED TO DO
Burn less, especially fossil fuels
Promote plant life, especially trees

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE
Sign out your Chromebook
Log into your computer
Go to: mscainlittlefield.weebly.com
Under Greenhouse Tab
Find the section titled Cycles: Water, Nitrogen, and
Carbon
Copy the notes in your travel journal.
Turn in the Exit Ticket on a yellow Post-It