The Carbon CycleThe Carbon Cycle - the movement

of carbon between the organisms, atmosphere, oceans, and soil.The exchange of carbon happens

between living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) things.

Abiotic EnvironmentsCarbon exists in abiotic environments as:

Carbon dioxide (CO2) gas in atmosphere and in oceans

Carbonate rocks (CaCO3) Examples: limestone and coral

Fossil Fuels Example: coal, petroleum, and natural gas

Dead organic material

Biotic EnvironmentsPlants take in carbon dioxide during

photosynthesis to make foodPhytoplankton – floating organisms that do photosynthesis

Animals eat foods that contain carbon.Zooplankton – floating organisms that eat food containing carbon

Remember…Autotrophs or producers are living things

that make their own food (sugar).Hetertrophs or consumers are living things

that must eat their food.

Once the carbon is in living organisms, it is further converted and released:Consumption - carbon transferred to a

consumer when an organism is eatenDecomposition - carbon transferred to

the soil via the decay of a dead organismRespiration - carbon released into the

air as CO2 gas

Carbon SinksCarbon Sink – a natural or

manmade reservoir that holds and stores carbon for long periods of timeEx: Landfills and oceans

Fossil FuelsWhen living things die, they will decompose into the soil, and press together to turn into a fossil fuel.Ex. natural gas, oil, and coal

Fossil fuels are carbon sinks.

Carbon Cycle Tutorial

ROY G. BIV

A Review of LightSunlight that we see is called “white

light”White light makes up the Visible

Spectrum where we can see different colors.

The colors we see are the colors of light that are reflected!

Photosynthesis 6CO2 + 6H2O + sunlight → C6H12O6 + 6O2 (carbon dioxide) (water) (glucose) (oxygen)

Photosynthesis converts light energy to chemical energy (glucose).

Plants do photosynthesis to make food (glucose).

Oxygen is a byproduct.

Plants get carbon dioxide from air.

Plants get water from the soil?.

Remember, autotrophs are producers that include:

Plants

Algae

Some bacteria

Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplasts (a type of plastid)

Chloroplasts contain the green pigment chlorophyll.

Chlorophyll is the pigment that uses sunlight to make food.

Green light is reflected so this is why most plants appear green.

Most plants contain other pigments that help chlorophyll absorb more light.Example: carotenoids

Chloroplasts

Aerobic RespirationC6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + 38ATP (glucose) (oxygen) (carbon dioxide) (water) (energy)

Respiration converts the chemical energy of glucose to the chemical energy of ATP.

Living things do respiration to make energy (ATP).

• Occurs in ALL living things.• CO2 and H2O are byproducts.• Mostly occurs in the mitochondria of cells.

ATP•Stand for Adenosine Triphosphate•The “universal” energy•Needed to run all processes necessary to

support life such as thinking, running, breathing, etc.

• It is a chemical that contains 3 phosphate groups and is like a fully charged battery.

•ATP releases energy by breaking off phosphate (P).

• ATP ADP + P + ENERGY

• ADP is Adenosine Diphosphate.• It is a chemical that contains 2 phosphate groups and is like a partially charged battery.• ADP stores energy by adding a P.•ADP + P + ENERGY ATP

There are two major types of cellular respiration:1. Aerobic respiration

Uses oxygenMakes lots of energy (38 ATP) Occurs in mitochondria

2. Anaerobic respiration (fermentation)No oxygen neededMakes a little energy (2ATP)Occurs in cytoplasmTwo types: alcoholic and lactic acid

Alcoholic FermentationGlucose → alcohol + CO2 + 2ATP

Ex: Yeast causes bread dough to rise when baked and alcohol evaporates.

Lactic Acid FermentationGlucose → Lactic acid + 2ATP

Ex: Humans produce lactic acid in their muscles during rapid exercise (sprinting, weight lifting, etc.)

Greenhouse EffectGreenhouse effect – gases are

creating a curtain around the Earth trapping sunlight in the atmosphere, which keeps the earth warm

Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere include:Water vapor, carbon dioxide,

methane, ozone, and nitrous oxide.

Global WarmingGlobal warming – the gradual increase of

greenhouse gases (especially carbon dioxide) increases the greenhouse effect, which increases the average global temperature

Human-caused activities have aided in global warming starting with the Industrial Revolution.Power plants

93% of emissions from the electric utility industry comes from coal.

Car emissions33% of US carbon dioxide emissions.

DeforestationAgriculture

Methane is 20 times more harmful than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas, but there is not nearly as much methane made.

Causes of Global Warming

Effects of Global WarmingPolar ice caps have been

melting rapidly.In 2006, almost all of the

300 glaciers worldwide are melting.

Sea level rising quickly.

Increased ocean temperaturesAssociated with more

severe weather (hurricanes).

This is what Spain and many different ports could look like in the future with the rising sea levels.

Increased acidity in oceans.

More carbon dioxide is being absorbed in the oceans, which makes carbonic acid.

Acidic oceans are killing marine life.