Science - Combined - 0653 CIE

Carbon Cycle

Overview

The Earth is a closed box: almost no new atoms arrive from space. So every carbon atom in your body, and every nitrogen atom in your proteins, has been used before, perhaps by a dinosaur, a fern or a bacterium. Nutrient cycles are the routes these atoms take as they pass endlessly between the air, the soil, living things and back again.

In this lesson you will follow carbon through photosynthesis, respiration, feeding, decomposition, fossil fuels and combustion, and then trace nitrogen through the bacteria that fix it, turn it into nitrates and return it to the air. Understanding these cycles explains everything from why we add fertiliser to fields to why burning fossil fuels is warming the planet.

Objectives

  1. [Core] Describe the carbon cycle, limited to: photosynthesis, respiration, feeding, decomposition, formation of fossil fuels and combustion

Lesson Note

Elements are recycled but energy is not. Carbon and nitrogen pass round and round, driven by the one-way flow of energy from the Sun. These cycles link nearly every other topic: photosynthesis and respiration drive the carbon cycle; decomposers and bacteria drive the nitrogen cycle; and human activity, burning fuels and clearing forests, is now shifting the carbon cycle out of balance. Examiners expect you to draw and label both cycles and to name the processes at each arrow.

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Lesson Evaluation

Congratulations on completing the lesson on Carbon Cycle. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.

You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.

  1. During daylight, which process carried out by green plants takes carbon dioxide out of the air? A. respiration B. transpiration C. photosynthesis D. decomposition Answer: C
  2. Carbon locked in coal and oil is returned to the air mainly by: A. photosynthesis B. combustion C. nitrification D. transpiration Answer: B
  3. Plants absorb nitrogen from the soil in the form of: A. nitrogen gas B. ammonia gas C. nitrate ions D. protein Answer: C
  4. Which bacteria convert ammonium ions into nitrates? A. denitrifying bacteria B. nitrifying bacteria C. decomposer fungi D. nitrogen-fixing bacteria Answer: B
  5. Denitrifying bacteria are harmful to soil fertility because they: A. fix nitrogen gas B. make nitrates from ammonium C. turn nitrates into nitrogen gas D. decompose protein Answer: C

Available on the Green Bridge App

Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.

Full lesson notes with diagrams
AI-powered learning assistant
Study offline, anytime, anywhere
Available on Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux

Available on the Green Bridge App

Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.

Full lesson notes with diagrams
AI-powered learning assistant
Study offline, anytime, anywhere
Available on Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux

Practice Mock Questions

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