Describe the flow of matter in the carbon cycle

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Middle School Life Science › Describe the flow of matter in the carbon cycle

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1

Where is most carbon on Earth stored?

in rocks and sediments (and dead organisms)

CORRECT

in the atmosphere

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in the ocean

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in living organisms

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Explanation

The answer is "in rocks and sediments"

The carbon cycle describes the flow of the element Carbon in ecosystems. Most carbon is stored in rocks and sediments, while the rest is stored in the ocean, atmosphere, and living organisms. Carbon in the air is absorbed by plants in photosynthesis, consumed by organisms who eat the plants, and then it is returned to the soil when animals die and their organic matter decomposes. The same process happens in oceans with aquatic plants as well. Carbon is also emitted from the burning of fossil fuels which are made from the organic material of organisms that died millions of years ago.

2

How do heterotrophs acquire their carbon?

from eating autotrophs

CORRECT

from the atmosphere

0

from fossil fuels

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by digging in the ground

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Explanation

The answer is "from eating autotrophs"

The carbon cycle describes the flow of the element Carbon in ecosystems. Most carbon is stored in rocks and sediments, while the rest is stored in the ocean, atmosphere, and living organisms. Carbon in the air is absorbed by plants in photosynthesis, consumed by organisms who eat the plants, and then it is returned to the soil when animals die and their organic matter decomposes. The same process happens in oceans with aquatic plants as well. Carbon is also emitted from the burning of fossil fuels which are made from the organic material of organisms that died millions of years ago.

3

Which of the following is NOT a part of the Carbon Cycle?

Carbon moves from the atmosphere to plants.

0

Carbon moves from plants and animals to soils.

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Carbon moves from fossil fuels to the atmosphere when fuels are burned

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Carbon moves from the atmosphere into space

CORRECT

Explanation

The answer is "Carbon moves from the atmosphere into space." The Carbon Cycle is a closed system that operates on Earth and while some Carbon may move between Earth and space, that is not related to our Carbon Cycle. The carbon cycle describes the flow of the element Carbon on Earth. Most carbon is stored in rocks and sediments, while the rest is stored in the ocean, atmosphere, and living organisms. Carbon in the air is absorbed by plants in photosynthesis, consumed by organisms who eat the plants, and then it is returned to the soil when animals die and their organic matter decomposes. The same process happens in oceans with aquatic plants as well. Carbon is also emitted from the burning of fossil fuels which are made from the organic material of organisms that died millions of years ago.

4

Carbon is absorbed from the atmosphere through what process?

photosynthesis

CORRECT

cellular respiration

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carbonic absorption

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neutralization

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Explanation

The answer is "photosynthesis."

The carbon cycle describes the flow of the element Carbon in ecosystems. Most carbon is stored in rocks and sediments, while the rest is stored in the ocean, atmosphere, and living organisms. Carbon in the air is absorbed by plants in photosynthesis, consumed by organisms who eat the plants, and then it is returned to the soil when animals die and their organic matter decomposes. The same process happens in oceans with aquatic plants as well. Carbon is also emitted from the burning of fossil fuels which are made from the organic material of organisms that died millions of years ago.

5

Which of the following correctly identifies the significance of Carbon on Earth?

Living things need carbon to survive

0

The Earth has a finite amount of carbon

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Carbon is found in non-living things such as rocks, animal shells, the atmosphere and oceans

0

none of these

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all of these

CORRECT

Explanation

The answer is "all of these." The carbon cycle describes the flow of the element Carbon on Earth. Most carbon is stored in rocks and sediments, while the rest is stored in the ocean, atmosphere, and living organisms. Carbon in the air is absorbed by plants in photosynthesis, consumed by organisms who eat the plants, and then it is returned to the soil when animals die and their organic matter decomposes. The same process happens in oceans with aquatic plants as well. Carbon is also emitted from the burning of fossil fuels which are made from the organic material of organisms that died millions of years ago.

6

Which of the following has the largest effect on the carbon cycle?

human activities

CORRECT

bird migrations

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the water cycle

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none of these impact the carbon cycle

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Explanation

The answer is "human activities." The carbon cycle describes the flow of the element Carbon on Earth. Most carbon is stored in rocks and sediments, while the rest is stored in the ocean, atmosphere, and living organisms. Carbon in the air is absorbed by plants in photosynthesis, consumed by organisms who eat the plants, and then it is returned to the soil when animals die and their organic matter decomposes. The same process happens in oceans with aquatic plants as well. Carbon is also emitted from the burning of fossil fuels which are made from the organic material of organisms that died millions of years ago.

7

Why are forests and areas where there are many plants referred to as "Carbon sinks"?

because plants absorb carbon in photosynthesis and drain carbon from the atmosphere

CORRECT

because plants release carbon in the atmosphere like the faucet in a "sink"

0

because plants make carbon "sink" to the bottom of the Earth

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because carbon is drained from plants by animals

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Explanation

The answer is "because plants absorb carbon in photosynthesis"

The carbon cycle describes the flow of the element Carbon in ecosystems. Most carbon is stored in rocks and sediments, while the rest is stored in the ocean, atmosphere, and living organisms. Carbon in the air is absorbed by plants in photosynthesis, consumed by organisms who eat the plants, and then it is returned to the soil when animals die and their organic matter decomposes. The same process happens in oceans with aquatic plants as well. Carbon is also emitted from the burning of fossil fuels which are made from the organic material of organisms that died millions of years ago.

8

What happens to Carbon stored in plants and animals when they die?

it disappears

0

it decomposes

CORRECT

it evaporates

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none of these

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all of these

0

Explanation

The carbon cycle describes the flow of the element Carbon on Earth. Most carbon is stored in rocks and sediments, while the rest is stored in the ocean, atmosphere, and living organisms. Carbon in the air is absorbed by plants in photosynthesis, consumed by organisms who eat the plants, and then it is returned to the soil when animals die and their organic matter decomposes. The same process happens in oceans with aquatic plants as well. Carbon is also emitted from the burning of fossil fuels which are made from the organic material of organisms that died millions of years ago.'

9

Screen shot 2020 06 08 at 1.34.33 pm

According to this diagram, how does Carbon travel to the atmosphere?

all of these

CORRECT

volcanic emissions, plant respiration, and soil respiration

0

the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation

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ocean loss

0

Explanation

The answer is "all of these."

The carbon cycle describes the flow of the element Carbon in ecosystems. Most carbon is stored in rocks and sediments, while the rest is stored in the ocean, atmosphere, and living organisms. Carbon in the air is absorbed by plants in photosynthesis, consumed by organisms who eat the plants, and then it is returned to the soil when animals die and their organic matter decomposes. The same process happens in oceans with aquatic plants as well. Carbon is also emitted from the burning of fossil fuels which are made from the organic material of organisms that died millions of years ago.

10

Which of the following answer choices best describes the 4 main components of the Carbon Cycle?

Photosynthesis, Decomposition, Respiration and Combustion

CORRECT

Photosynthesis, Decomposition, Respiration and Recombination

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Photosynthesis, Deforestation, Respiration and Restoration

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Photosynthesis, Decomposition, Deforestation, and Respiration

0

Explanation

The answer is "Photosynthesis, Decomposition, Respiration and Combustion." The carbon cycle describes the flow of the element Carbon on Earth. Most carbon is stored in rocks and sediments, while the rest is stored in the ocean, atmosphere, and living organisms. Carbon in the air is absorbed by plants in photosynthesis, consumed by organisms who eat the plants, and then it is returned to the soil when animals die and their organic matter decomposes. The same process happens in oceans with aquatic plants as well. Carbon is also emitted from the burning of fossil fuels which are made from the organic material of organisms that died millions of years ago.