Question

visual reading tool: the carbon cycle

1. use colored pencils to color the arrows in the diagram according to the processes listed in the key. color the biological processes blue; the human processes orange; the geological processes green; and the physical and chemical processes red.
2. why are carbon reservoirs important in the carbon cycle?
3. describe one path that a carbon atom could follow through the carbon cycle.
4. how does the diagram show the effects of photosynthesis and cellular respiration?

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carbon reservoirs places where carbon is stored, such as the ocean, forests, and deposits of limestone
places where carbon is stored are called carbon reservoirs. earths four major carbon reservoirs include the atmosphere, the oceans of the hydrosphere, and the rocks and fossil fuels of the geosphere. carbon is also stored in the biosphere, in the form of living tissue and organic carbon in soil. carbon moves into and out of these reservoirs as part of the carbon cycle.
biological processes photosynthesis removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. respiration returns carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. producers use carbon dioxide to make carbohydrates that are consumed by heterotrophs. decomposers break down carbohydrates, releasing carbon (and other nutrients) to the environment. not all carbon is released by decomposition. remains of primary producers buried millions of years ago were transformed into fossil fuels.
38 chapter 3 ecosystems
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Explanation:

1. Follow the color - coding key to color the arrows in the diagram for different processes.
2. Carbon reservoirs are important as they store carbon and regulate the amount of carbon in the atmosphere and other parts of the Earth system, affecting climate and ecosystem processes.
3. For example, a carbon atom in atmospheric carbon dioxide can be taken up by a plant during photosynthesis, then when the plant is consumed by an animal, the carbon is transferred to the animal. When the animal respires, the carbon is released back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. Or when the plant or animal dies, decomposers break it down and the carbon can be returned to the soil or become part of fossil fuels over time.
4. The diagram shows that photosynthesis is represented by arrows indicating the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere (biological process, likely colored blue). Cellular respiration is shown by arrows indicating the release of carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere, also a biological process.

Answer:

1. Carbon reservoirs store carbon and regulate its amount in the Earth - system, influencing climate and ecosystems.
2. A carbon atom in atmospheric CO₂ can be taken up by a plant during photosynthesis, transferred to an animal when the plant is eaten, and released back to the atmosphere when the animal respires.
3. Photosynthesis is shown by arrows removing CO₂ from the atmosphere; cellular respiration is shown by arrows releasing CO₂ to the atmosphere.