The Carbon Cycle Flashcards

1️⃣ Familiarise yourself with the flashcards:

  • Look through all the flashcards to see what's on both sides.
  • Make sure you understand the information on each card. If something's unclear, click the link to the revision notes at the bottom of the page for more details.

2️⃣ Test yourself:

  • Look at the question or prompt on each card and try to remember the answer before flipping it over.
  • Check the answer and make a note of any cards you find challenging and need to go over more.

3️⃣ Consistently Review and Practice:

  • Use spaced repetition: spend more time on the cards you struggle with and go over them more often.
  • Regularly review all the flashcards to help you better understand and retain the information over time.

Note: We may include questions that have multiple correct answers. It's useful to remember specific examples to understand these concepts better.

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What is the carbon cycle?

It is the movement of carbon through the air, living things, dead matter, and the Earth. It goes round and round.

Which process removes carbon dioxide from the air?

Photosynthesis. Plants and algae take in carbon dioxide to make glucose.

How does carbon move from plants to animals?

Animals eat plants. The carbon in plant biomass becomes part of the animals.

Name three processes that add carbon dioxide to the air.

Respiration, decomposition, and combustion (burning) of fuels or wood.

What do decomposers do in the carbon cycle?

They break down dead plants, animals, and waste. As they respire, they release carbon dioxide back to the air.

How do fossil fuels form and how do they release carbon?

Dead organisms can get buried and not fully decay. Over millions of years they form fossil fuels, which release carbon dioxide when burned.

Why does deforestation increase carbon dioxide?

Fewer trees means less photosynthesis, so less carbon dioxide is removed. Cutting and burning trees also adds carbon dioxide.

What is combustion and what does it release?

Combustion is burning a fuel or biomass. It releases carbon dioxide into the air.

What is respiration’s role in the carbon cycle?

Respiration uses glucose and oxygen to release energy. It makes carbon dioxide, which goes into the air.

How is carbon passed along a food chain?

Feeding. Carbon in plant biomass is eaten and becomes part of animal biomass.

What happens to carbon in dead organisms and waste?

Decomposers break it down and respire, releasing carbon dioxide back to the air.

Give a simple path carbon can take from the air back to the air.

Air (carbon dioxide) to a plant by photosynthesis, to an animal by feeding, then back to air by respiration or decay.

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