March 11, 2013
Q-2 Pg.
Daily Goal: We will be able to explain why we
never run out of carbon.
Homework: Complete your daily carbon cycle log
(to be passed out this class period).
Science Starter:
1. Draw a picture of a flower and label the following parts:
stem, roots, leaves, petals, anther, stamen, pistil, ovary,
stomata, guard cells.
2. List all the ways that you can think of that the flower
would interact with its environment. Include biotic and
abiotic factors, and processes. You should be able to
think of at least 8.
What is matter?
 The Law of
Conservation of
Matter - matter
cannot be
created or
destroyed, only
rearranged or
recycled

Are rocks matter?
How do rocks get rearranged or recycled?

One characteristic of living things is that they
carbon
are ________________
based.
Raise your hand if you can name the element
that should go in the blank!
 Carbon is important because all life
on Earth is based on carbon.
 The Carbon Cycle –
a series of processes
through which all of
the carbon atoms in
the world recycle
All

Carbon is
found in the
atmosphere
(the air) and
oceans as
the gas
carbon
dioxide
(CO2).
life on earth is based on carbon.
Open
burning
Photosynthesis
Respiration
Atmospheric
CO2
Respiration Fuel Combustion
Fuel
Combustion
Photosynthesis
Dissolved CO2
Respiration
Death
and decay
Death and decay
Fossil fuels

What is one process that we already know of
that puts carbon dioxide (CO2) into the
atmosphere?
Respiration


BOTH plants and
animals release CO2
into the air through
cellular respiration
For example:
Humans breathe in
oxygen and breathe
out CO2.

What is one process that we already know of
that takes carbon dioxide (CO2) from the
atmosphere?
Photosynthesis


CO2 is taken out of
the air by plants
through
photosynthesis.
Plants “breathe in”
or exchange CO2
and “breathe out”
O2.
It’s a cycle! Who can explain how this cycle is
evidence of the Law of Conservation of Matter.
CO2
O2

Decomposition –
bacteria, fungi, and
other organisms
breakdown dead
plants, animals and
waste into carbon
dioxide gas and solid
carbonates

Fossil Fuels –
when living things
decompose and
the carbon atoms
DO NOT find
oxygen atoms to
bond with, they
turn into fossil
fuels

The fossil fuels we use now formed from the
bodies of prehistoric organisms that were
buried under layers of sediment.

Fossil fuels include:
 Coal
 Petroleum
 Natural Gas


Coal was formed from prehistoric trees, ferns
and mosses.
There are large deposits of coal in the
Appalachian region.

Where is the Appalachian region?

Petroleum and natural gas are from
prehistoric plankton and bacteria.

Fossil fuels can be
burned by
automobiles,
releasing carbon
back into the
atmosphere.

How does burning
fossil fuels change
the carbon cycle? (It’s
helpful to draw it)

What will happen if we
burn all of the fossil
fuels that we have?
Are fossil fuels
renewable resources?
(Remember, a
renewable resource is
something that can be
created as fast as we
use it.)


How does carbon move from the air to
plants?

How does carbon move from plants into
the bodies of animals?

Where is solid carbon found?

Where is carbon dioxide gas found?

How does carbon move back into the air
from plants and animals?

How do decomposers contribute to the
carbon–oxygen cycle?

Use the plant that you drew for the Science
Starter.
ANSWER: How is it part of the carbon cycle?
DRAW: Diagram how the carbon cycle would
work in relation to your plant.