Carbon cycle — Science definition
Defined in 3 courses:
- Transfers of carbon among organisms, atmosphere, water, soil, and rocks. (Life Science: Biology)
- The movement of carbon among the atmosphere, living things, oceans, soil, and rocks, driven largely by photosynthesis and respiration. (Life Science: Biology)
- The continuous movement of carbon among the atmosphere, living things, oceans, soil, and rock. (Physics & Environmental Science)
Where it is taught
- Comparing Photosynthesis & Respiration — Matter & Energy in Living Systems, Life Science: Biology, Grade 10
- Biogeochemical Cycles — Ecosystems & Conservation Decisions, Life Science: Biology, Grade 10
- Climate Change — Pollution, Carbon & Climate Evidence, Physics & Environmental Science, Grade 12
In use
The carbon cycle tracks carbon as it shuttles among four great reservoirs: the atmosphere (as carbon dioxide gas), living things (whose bodies are built on carbon skeletons), the oceans, and the rocks and fossil fuels underground.
Biogeochemical Cycles
Questions using carbon cycle
Problem 1
Explain why burning coal, oil, and natural gas adds carbon dioxide to the atmosphere faster than the natural carbon cycle can remove it.
Answer and explanation
Fossil fuels store carbon that was locked underground and out of the active carbon cycle for millions of years. Burning them releases that ancient carbon as carbon dioxide in just decades or centuries — far faster than photosynthesis and the oceans can absorb it back — so carbon dioxide builds up in the atmosphere.
Taught alongside
- matter cycling
- energy transfer
- conservation of energy
- biogeochemical cycle
- nitrogen fixation
- transpiration
- photosynthesis
- cellular respiration
- nitrification
- denitrification
- greenhouse effect
- greenhouse gas
- fossil fuel
- climate feedback