The Carbon Cycle (College Board AP® Environmental Science): Flashcards
0Still learning
Know0
- FrontThe Carbon Cycle
Define carbon cycle.
Was this flashcard helpful?
Cards in this collection (19)
Define carbon cycle.
The carbon cycle is the set of processes by which carbon atoms and carbon-containing molecules move between Earth's atmosphere, oceans, land and living organisms.
What are examples of carbon sources?
Carbon sources include burning fossil fuels, respiration, volcanic eruptions and the decay of organic material.
Define carbon sink.
A carbon sink is anything that absorbs or removes carbon from another part of the carbon cycle, such as forests, oceans and soil.
True or False?
The total amount of carbon in the biosphere keeps increasing as it cycles.
False.
There is a finite amount of carbon on the planet, so the total amount in the biosphere stays essentially constant as it cycles.
Which processes are the fast stages of the carbon cycle?
The fast stages of the carbon cycle are photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition and combustion.
During weathering, carbon dioxide reacts with water to form acid, which dissolves rocks.
During weathering, carbon dioxide reacts with water to form carbonic acid, which dissolves rocks.
How does sedimentation lock carbon into rock?
Marine organisms use bicarbonates to form shells, which accumulate as sediment and eventually become limestone.
How does subduction return carbon to the atmosphere?
Tectonic movements subduct carbon-rich rocks into the mantle, and the carbon is released back into the atmosphere through volcanic eruptions.
Define carbon reservoir.
A carbon reservoir is a storage location for carbon in different forms.
How long do long-term carbon reservoirs store carbon?
Long-term carbon reservoirs store carbon for millions of years.
True or False?
The atmosphere is a long-term carbon reservoir.
False.
The atmosphere is a short-term reservoir that holds carbon for days to decades and is quickly influenced by photosynthesis and respiration.
Why is the deep ocean a longer-term carbon store than the surface ocean?
Carbon that sinks into the deep ocean is stored for hundreds to thousands of years, while carbon in the surface ocean cycles on a scale of days to years.
Carbon sinks into the deeper layers of the ocean through processes such as the pump.
Carbon sinks into the deeper layers of the ocean through processes such as the biological pump.
What does photosynthesis convert carbon dioxide and water into?
Photosynthesis uses sunlight to convert CO₂ and water into glucose and oxygen.
True or False?
Only animals release CO₂ through cellular respiration.
False.
All living organisms, including plants, fungi and decomposing microbes, release CO₂ through cellular respiration.
Photosynthesis and respiration form a carbon cycle, a continuous exchange of carbon between living organisms and the environment.
Photosynthesis and respiration form a short-term carbon cycle, a continuous exchange of carbon between living organisms and the environment.
In which two main forms is carbon stored in the atmosphere?
Carbon is stored in the atmosphere mainly as carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄).
What can happen to carbon transferred to the soil by decomposition over millions of years?
Over millions of years, some of the carbon transferred to the soil by decomposition becomes fossil fuels.
True or False?
Burning fossil fuels releases carbon from short-term reservoirs.
False.
Burning fossil fuels is an anthropogenic source that rapidly releases large amounts of carbon previously stored in long-term reservoirs.
Sign up to unlock flashcards
or