Biology Classes

Essential Idea:  Continued availability of carbon in ecosystems depends on carbon cycling.

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Nature of Science:  Making accurate, quantitative measurements: it is important to obtain reliable data on the concentration of carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere.

APPLICATIONS & SKILLS:

• Skill:  Construct a diagram of the carbon cycle.

RESOURCES:

• VIDEO:  Construct a diagram of the carbon cycle

• VIDEO:  Carbon cycle song

• TUTORIAL:  Carbon cycle

• PRESENTATION:  Carbon cycling

• ANIMATION:  The global carbon cycle

UNDERSTANDINGS:

• Autotrophs convert carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and other carbon compounds.

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

• Carbon dioxide diffuses from the atmosphere or water into autotrophs.

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

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

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

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

• Partially decomposed organic matter from past geological eras was converted either into coal or into oil and gas which accumulates in porous rocks.

• Carbon dioxide is produced by the combustion of biomass and fossilized organic matter.

• Animals such as reef-building corals and molluscs have hard parts that are composed of calcium carbonate and can become fossilized in limestone.