The Carbon Cycle – Science 1206
Name: _______________________
1) What is the key element for living things?
2) Where can inorganic carbon be found?
3) Write out the reactants and products for the photosynthesis equation.(Names and formulas)
4) Write out the reactants and products for cellular respiration. (Names and formulas)
5) Why is the carbon cycle called “The Carbon Cycle”?
6) How does carbon from living things return to the atmosphere or water?
7) Sometimes carbon is converted into rock or fossil fuels. Give three examples.
1)
2)
3)
8) How would the carbon in the above items be released?
a) uplifting
b)
c)
Reservoirs for Inorganic Carbon-Delays in the Cycle
9) What are the three main reservoirs for inorganic carbon?
a) _________________________ b) _____________________________ c) Earth’s crust
10) Where is a lot of inorganic carbon held?
11) Some carbon dioxide reacts with seawater to form the carbonate ion and the bicarbonate ion. What are the
formulas for these ions?
12) The ions mentioned above combine with calcium to form what compound?
13) Where is this compound used?
14) Where does much of the carbon in carbonates end up?
15) Explain why sedimentary rocks form the largest reservoir of carbon.
Reservoirs for Organic Carbon
16) Organic carbon is in the bodies of living things. All creatures die and decompose, returning carbon to the cycle in an
inorganic form. Describe the exception to this rule?
17) How does oil form?
Human Impact on Carbon cycle
18) How have humans modified the carbon cycle?
19) How does the destruction of vegetation affect the carbon cycle?
20) Where does most carbon dioxide released into the air eventually go?
Eventually becomes dissolved in seawater.
21) How long can the organic carbon trapped in coal be stored?
Notes:
Inorganic carbon held as dissolved CO2 (carbon dioxide) in the oceans.
When not in organic form, carbon is found in the atmosphere, the oceans, and Earth’s crust.
Largest reservoir of carbon is located in Earth’s crust in sedimentary rocks.
Bogs can store organic carbon, and eventually form coal.
Organic carbon on the ocean floor can form oil.
Draw a diagram of the Carbon Cycle: