ATOM X CHEAT SHEET
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
Carbon atom starts in the air or water as part of a carbon dioxide molecule.
Then the carbon dioxide molecule is taken into a plant or into an algae during a process called
photosynthesis. During photosynthesis… it takes 6 carbon dioxide molecules
And 6 water molecules… to make 1 molecule of glucose sugar. Our carbon atom has now become
part of a glucose sugar molecule
CELL RESPIRATION
Living cells of a plant,, animal, bacteria,, or fungus burn glucose sugar to get energy.
When one molecule of glucose is burned in a cell… the glucose is broken into 6 water miolecules and 6
carbon dioxide molecules.
DECOMPOSITION ( rotting )
Remember this: when organisms decompose… the sugars in those organisms are being broken down
inside of bacteria cells or inside of fungi cells. In other words. Decomposition involves cell respiration.
The carbon in the sugar molecules of the dead organism is added to oxygen atoms. Then the carbon is
released as carbon dioxide when the decomposers break down the food… so look at cell respiration
again
Sugar in dead organisms
is burned to produce carbon dioxide
Which is released to the air or water . carbon moved from sugar to air or water.
COMBUSTION ( burning )
Exactly the same as above.
Sugar in the burning material is broken apart. The carbon in the burning fuel ( wood, coal, oil, natural
gas ) is added to oxygen
C + O2 --
CO2