Back to AI Flashcard MakerBiology /Biology IB HL - 4.3 Carbon Cycling Part 1
What is the carbon cycle?
The carbon cycle is a biogeochemical cycle whereby carbon is exchanged between the different spheres of the Earth
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Key Terms
Term
Definition
What is the carbon cycle?
The carbon cycle is a biogeochemical cycle whereby carbon is exchanged between the different spheres of the Earth
What are the four spheres?
The four spheres are the atmosphere (air), lithosphere (ground), hydrosphere (water / oceans) and biosphere (living things)
In what 4 forms can carbon be exchanged?
atmospheric gases
oceanic carbonates
organic materials
non-living remains
In what form can carbon be found in atmospheric gases?
mainly carbon dioxide (CO2), but also methane (CH4)
In what form can carbon be found in atmospheric gases?
mainly carbon dioxide (CO2), but also methane (CH4)
In what form can carbon be found in oceanic carbonates?
including bicarbonates dissolved in the water and calcium carbonate in corals and shells
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
What is the carbon cycle? | The carbon cycle is a biogeochemical cycle whereby carbon is exchanged between the different spheres of the Earth |
What are the four spheres? | The four spheres are the atmosphere (air), lithosphere (ground), hydrosphere (water / oceans) and biosphere (living things) |
In what 4 forms can carbon be exchanged? | atmospheric gases
oceanic carbonates
organic materials
non-living remains |
In what form can carbon be found in atmospheric gases? | mainly carbon dioxide (CO2), but also methane (CH4) |
In what form can carbon be found in atmospheric gases? | mainly carbon dioxide (CO2), but also methane (CH4) |
In what form can carbon be found in oceanic carbonates? | including bicarbonates dissolved in the water and calcium carbonate in corals and shells |
In what form can carbon be found in organic materials? | including the carbohydrates, lipids and proteins found in all living things |
In what form can carbon be found in living remains? | as detritus and fossil fuels |
How do autotrophs convert inorganic compounds? | Autotrophs, such as all plants and algae, convert inorganic carbon dioxide into organic compounds via photosynthesis |
What organic compounds is CO2 converted into via photosynthesis? | These organic compounds include the carbohydrates, lipids and proteins required by the organism for survival |
What levels of CO2 should autotrophs have? | Since autotrophs use carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, the levels of carbon dioxide within the organism should always be low |
In which sphere should there be a higher conc of CO2? | In other words, carbon dioxide should always be at a higher concentration in the atmosphere (or water) |
What does the differing concentration of CO2 ensure? | This concentration gradient ensures that carbon dioxide will passively diffuse into the autotrophic organism as required |
How does diffusion of CO2 differ in aquatic and terrestrial autotrophs? | In aquatic producers, CO2 can usually diffuse directly into the autotroph; whereas in terrestrial plants, diffusion occurs at stomata |
What do all organisms produce to survive? | All organisms may produce the chemical energy (ATP) required to power metabolic processes via the process of cell respiration |
What does cell respiration involve? | Cell respiration involves the breakdown of organic molecules (e.g. sugars) and produces carbon dioxide as a by-product |
What is a result of respiration? How is this useful? | The build up of CO2 in respiring tissues creates a concentration gradient, allowing it to be removed by passive diffusion |
In autotrophs, what may happen in relation to these two processes? | In autotrophs, the uptake of CO2 by photosynthesis may at times be balanced by the production of CO2 by respiration |
What is it called when rate of photosynthesis=rate of respiration? | This is known as the compensation point, at which the net carbon dioxide assimilation is zero (intake = output) |
What determines the level of carbon dioxide in the environment? (2 relating to net ___) | If there is more net photosynthesis than cell respiration occuring in the biosphere, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels should drop
If there is more net respiration than overall photosynthesis occuring, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels should increase |
What happens when Co2 dissolves in water? | Carbon dioxide dissolves in water and some of it will remain as a dissolved gas, however the remainder will combine with water to form carbonic acid |
Give equation for CO2 dissolving in water | CO2 + H2O ⇄ H2CO3 |
What happens to carbonic acid + equation? | Carbonic acid will then dissociate to form hydrogen carbonate ions (H2CO3 ⇄ HCO3– + H+) |
What causes the change in pH of the ocean? | This conversion (H2CO3) also releases hydrogen ions (H+), which is why pH changes when CO2 is dissolved in water (> acidic) |
What do autotrophs absorb in relation to ocean CO2? | Autotrophs absorb both dissolved carbon dioxide and hydrogen carbonate ions and use them to produce organic compounds |