Question

name: sidney date: sept 24th period: 2nd carbon cycle webquest https://scied.ucar.edu/carbon - cycle 1. what do we call it when atoms cycle between living and non - living things? 2. which are the most common atoms in living things? 3. the article uses an example of carbon cycling through plankton. where did the carbon come from in this example, and where does it go after it leaves the plankton? 4. what is a long term storage place called? 5. how is the carbon cycle related to climate change? 6. how does carbon move from the atmosphere to plants? 7. how does carbon move from plants to animals? 8. how does carbon move from plants/animals to soils? 9. how does carbon move from living things to the atmosphere? 10. how does carbon move from fossil fuels to the atmosphere? 11. how does carbon move from the atmosphere to the oceans? 12. what effect does carbon dioxide gas have on the atmosphere? 13. what are some examples of carbon being added and removed from the ocean? 14. how can carbon at the bottom of the ocean be released into the atmosphere? bonus question: carbon is an essential element for life. what is it about carbon atoms that makes them so important for living things? explain in 3 sentences

Explanation:

1. The cycling of atoms between living and non - living things is called a biogeochemical cycle.
2. The most common atoms in living things are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur.
3. In the plankton example, carbon comes from the atmosphere (as carbon dioxide) and after leaving plankton, it can be passed on to other organisms when plankton are consumed or can be released back into the water or atmosphere through respiration or decomposition.
4. A long - term storage place is called a sink.
5. The carbon cycle is related to climate change because an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) in the atmosphere, due to human activities like burning fossil fuels, enhances the greenhouse effect and leads to global warming.
6. Carbon moves from the atmosphere to plants through the process of photosynthesis, where plants take in carbon dioxide and convert it into organic compounds.
7. Carbon moves from plants to animals when animals consume plants. The organic compounds in plants are digested and absorbed by animals.
8. Carbon moves from plants/animals to soils when plants and animals die and decompose. Microorganisms break down the organic matter and release carbon into the soil.
9. Carbon moves from living things to the atmosphere through respiration. Living organisms consume oxygen and release carbon dioxide as a by - product.
10. Carbon moves from fossil fuels to the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned. Combustion of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
11. Carbon moves from the atmosphere to the oceans through a process called gas exchange. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere dissolves in the surface waters of the ocean.
12. Carbon dioxide gas is a greenhouse gas. It traps heat in the atmosphere, contributing to the warming of the Earth's surface.
13. Examples of carbon being added to the ocean include gas exchange from the atmosphere and rivers carrying dissolved carbon. Removal of carbon from the ocean includes the formation of carbonate shells by marine organisms and the sinking of organic matter to the ocean floor.
14. Carbon at the bottom of the ocean can be released into the atmosphere through processes like upwelling, where deep - ocean water rises to the surface bringing dissolved carbon with it, and through the decomposition of organic matter on the ocean floor which can release carbon dioxide.

For the bonus question, carbon atoms are important for living things because they can form four covalent bonds, allowing for the creation of complex and diverse organic molecules. These molecules are the building blocks of life, such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.

Answer:

1. Biogeochemical cycle
2. Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur
3. Carbon comes from the atmosphere (as carbon dioxide), and after leaving plankton, it can be passed to other organisms or released into water/atmosphere.
4. Sink
5. An increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide (from human activities) enhances the greenhouse effect and causes global warming.
6. Through photosynthesis.
7. When animals consume plants.
8. When plants and animals die and decompose.
9. Through respiration.
10. When fossil fuels are burned.
11. Through gas exchange.
12. It is a greenhouse gas that traps heat.
13. Added: gas exchange from atmosphere, rivers; Removed: formation of carbonate shells, sinking of organic matter.
14. Through upwelling and decomposition of organic matter on the ocean floor.

Bonus: Carbon can form four covalent bonds, creating complex organic molecules that are building blocks of life.