Carbon compounds are contained in every living organism.

We can follow carbon as it moves through living things, into the Earth’s atmosphere and back. This is called the Carbon Cycle.

Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and turn it into glucose using photosynthesis

Animals eat the plants for the energy in glucose and then release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere.

Photosynthesis

Carbon Dioxide + Water Glucose + Oxygen

Respiration

Oxygen + Glucose Carbon Dioxide + Water

ENERGY

ENERGY

PHOTOSYNTHESIS

RESPIRATION

DEATH & DECAY

PLANTS

ANIMALS

FEEDING

RESPIRATION

EXCRETIONDEATH & DECAY

RESPIRATION

DECOMPOSERS

FUNGI AND BACTERIA

DEATH & DECAY

COMBUSTION

DEATH ANDFOSSILISATION

FOSSILFUELS

A.B.

D.

C.

E.

F.

G.

B.

B.

D.

What do the letters represent?

A PHOTOSYNTHESIS

B RESPIRATION

C FEEDING

D DEATH AND DECAY

E DEATH AND FOSSILISATION

F EXCRETION

G COMBUSTION

• Other factors effecting the carbon cycle:

– Oceans as carbon sinks.– Deforestation– Marine Animal shells