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4.3: Carbon Cycling

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Define "autotroph."

Understanding: Autotrophs convert carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and other carbon compounds.

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Terms in this set (37)

Define "autotroph."

Understanding: Autotrophs convert carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and other carbon compounds.

An autotroph is *an organism capable of making energy-containing organic molecules from inorganic sources* via photosynthesis (involving light energy) or chemosynthesis (involving chemical energy).

Image: *Define "autotroph."*

Understanding: Autotrophs convert carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and other carbon compounds.

State the molecular formula for carbon dioxide.

Understanding: Autotrophs convert carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and other carbon compounds.

Carbon dioxide = *CO₂*

One carbon atom with double bonds to two oxygen atoms.

Image: *State the molecular formula for carbon dioxide.*

Understanding: Autotrophs convert carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and other carbon compounds.

State the role of photosynthesis in the carbon cycle.

Understanding: Autotrophs convert carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and other carbon compounds.

Autotrophs take in carbon from the atmosphere in the form of CO₂. They then use the carbon atoms from the CO₂ in the process of photosynthesis to make sugars, proteins and lipids for their growth.

Photosynthesis *converts inorganic carbon molecules into organic carbon molecules.*

Image: *State the role of photosynthesis in the carbon cycle.*

Understanding: Autotrophs convert carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and other carbon compounds.

State the molecular formula for the hydrogen carbonate ion.

Understanding: In aquatic ecosystems carbon is present as dissolved carbon dioxide and hydrogen carbonate ions.

Hydrogen carbonate ion=
Bicarbonate=
HCO₃⁻.

Image: *State the molecular formula for the hydrogen carbonate ion.*

Understanding: In aquatic ecosystems carbon is present as dissolved carbon dioxide and hydrogen carbonate ions.

Outline the process that converts carbon dioxide to hydrogen carbonate ion in water.

Understanding: In aquatic ecosystems carbon is present as dissolved carbon dioxide and hydrogen carbonate ions.

CO₂ diffuses into water. Some will remain as a dissolved gas. The remainder will combine with water to form carbonic acid (CO₂ + H₂O ⇄ H₂CO₃) which dissociates to form hydrogen and hydrogen carbonate ions (H⁺ and HCO₃⁻).

Image: *Outline the process that converts carbon dioxide to hydrogen carbonate ion in water.*

Understanding: In aquatic ecosystems carbon is present as dissolved carbon dioxide and hydrogen carbonate ions.

Explain the reduction of the pH in water when carbon dioxide is added.

Understanding: In aquatic ecosystems carbon is present as dissolved carbon dioxide and hydrogen carbonate ions.

When CO₂ combines with H₂O, hydrogen and hydrogen carbonate ions (H⁺ and HCO₃⁻) are formed. The increased [H⁺] will cause a reduction in the pH of the solution.

Reduced pH = more acidic

Image: *Explain the reduction of the pH in water when carbon dioxide is added.*

Understanding: In aquatic ecosystems carbon is present as dissolved carbon dioxide and hydrogen carbonate ions.

Define "diffusion."

Understanding: Carbon dioxide diffuses from the atmosphere or water into autotrophs.

Diffusion is the net movement of particles down their concentration gradient (from areas of higher concentration to areas of lower concentration).

Image: *Define "diffusion."*

Understanding: Carbon dioxide diffuses from the atmosphere or water into autotrophs.

Outline the role of diffusion in the carbon cycle.

Understanding: Carbon dioxide diffuses from the atmosphere or water into autotrophs.

CO₂ diffuses into autotrophs from the atmosphere or water. Without diffusion of CO₂, autotrophs would not have a carbon source for performing photosynthesis.

A waste product of cellular respiration, CO₂ diffuses out of living things to the atmosphere or water.

Image: *Outline the role of diffusion in the carbon cycle.*

Understanding: Carbon dioxide diffuses from the atmosphere or water into autotrophs.

State the role of respiration in the carbon cycle.

Understanding: Carbon dioxide is produced by respiration and diffuses out of organisms into water or the atmosphere.

All living things respire, the metabolic process of converting biochemical energy from nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for cellular work. CO₂ is a waste product of respiration.

Respiration converts organic carbon molecules into inorganic carbon molecules which then diffuse into water or the atmosphere.

Image: *State the role of respiration in the carbon cycle.*

Understanding: Carbon dioxide is produced by respiration and diffuses out of organisms into water or the atmosphere.

State the molecular formula for methane.

Understanding: Methane is produced from organic matter in anaerobic conditions by methanogenic archaeans and some diffuses into the atmosphere or accumulates in the ground.

Methane=
CH₄.

Image: *State the molecular formula for methane.*

Understanding: Methane is produced from organic matter in anaerobic conditions by methanogenic archaeans and some diffuses into the atmosphere or accumulates in the ground.

Outline the role of methanogenic archaea in the transformation of organic material into methane.

Understanding: Methane is produced from organic matter in anaerobic conditions by methanogenic archaeans and some diffuses into the atmosphere or accumulates in the ground.

Methanogenic archaeans are microorganisms that produce methane as a metabolic byproduct in anaerobic conditions. The methane produced will either accumulate underground (forming natural gas) or diffuse into the atmosphere.

Image: *Outline the role of methanogenic archaea in the transformation of organic material into methane.*

Understanding: Methane is produced from organic matter in anaerobic conditions by methanogenic archaeans and some diffuses into the atmosphere or accumulates in the ground.

Define "oxidation."

Understanding: Methane is oxidized to carbon dioxide and water in the atmosphere.

Oxidation is the gain of oxygen or loss of a hydrogen in a "redox" reaction.

Image: *Define "oxidation."*

Understanding: Methane is oxidized to carbon dioxide and water in the atmosphere.

State the formula for the oxidation of methane to carbon dioxide that occurs in the atmosphere.

Understanding: Methane is oxidized to carbon dioxide and water in the atmosphere.

In the atmosphere, methane (CH₄) is oxidized (gains oxygen and loses hydrogens) when it reacts with atmospheric oxygen (O₂). The result is carbon dioxide and water vapor.

CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O

Image: *State the formula for the oxidation of methane to carbon dioxide that occurs in the atmosphere.*

Understanding: Methane is oxidized to carbon dioxide and water in the atmosphere.

Define "decomposition."

Understanding: Peat forms when organic matter is not fully decomposed because of acidic and/or anaerobic conditions in waterlogged soils.

Decomposition is the process of complex, carbon compounds in dead organisms, urine and faeces being broken down into simpler carbon compounds by bacteria or fungi.

Image: *Define "decomposition."*

Understanding: Peat forms when organic matter is not fully decomposed because of acidic and/or anaerobic conditions in waterlogged soils.

Define "peat."

Understanding: Peat forms when organic matter is not fully decomposed because of acidic and/or anaerobic conditions in waterlogged soils.

Peat is a brown deposit resembling soil, formed by the partial decomposition of organic matter in wet acidic conditions (such as in bogs).

Image: *Define "peat."*

Understanding: Peat forms when organic matter is not fully decomposed because of acidic and/or anaerobic conditions in waterlogged soils.