14-4 What is the carbon cycle?
Aim: What is the carbon cycle?
OBJECTIVE: Explain the carbon cycle.
Key Terms
carbon cycle: repeated movement of carbon between Earth’s atmosphere and organisms
fossil fuel: nonrenewable energy source formed from the remains of plants and animals that lived and
died long ago
deforestation: excessive cutting of forests
Lesson Summary
• The process by which carbon is recycled is called the carbon cycle.
• Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are the main parts of the carbon cycle.
• Producers use carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to carry out photosynthesis.
• Decomposers release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through cellular respiration.
• Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the air.
• As factories grew and industry expanded, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
increased.
• Deforestation has also contributed to the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
OBJECTIVE: Explain the carbon cycle.
Key Terms
carbon cycle: repeated movement of carbon between Earth’s atmosphere and organisms
fossil fuel: nonrenewable energy source formed from the remains of plants and animals that lived and
died long ago
deforestation: excessive cutting of forests
Lesson Summary
• The process by which carbon is recycled is called the carbon cycle.
• Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are the main parts of the carbon cycle.
• Producers use carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to carry out photosynthesis.
• Decomposers release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through cellular respiration.
• Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the air.
• As factories grew and industry expanded, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
increased.
• Deforestation has also contributed to the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.