Examples of the carbon cycle in everyday life

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🌱 Photosynthesis: 🌿 Plants absorb carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) from the atmosphere to create energy and release oxygen ($O_2$). This is the foundation of the carbon cycle.
• 💨 Respiration: 🚶 Humans and animals breathe in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide ($CO_2$). This returns carbon to the atmosphere.
• 🔥 Combustion: 🪵 Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) and wood releases stored carbon into the atmosphere as $CO_2$.
• decomposition 🦠 When plants and animals die, decomposers (like bacteria and fungi) break down their remains, releasing carbon back into the soil and atmosphere.
• 🌊 Ocean Exchange: 🌊 The ocean absorbs $CO_2$ from the atmosphere. This $CO_2$ can be used by marine organisms or stored in the deep ocean.
• 🌋 Volcanic Activity: 🌋 Volcanoes release carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) from the Earth's interior into the atmosphere.
• 🧊 Carbon Sequestration:** 🌳 The long-term storage of carbon in plants, soil, oceans, or geological formations. This helps to reduce the amount of $CO_2$ in the atmosphere.

🧪 Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following processes removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?
   1. A. Respiration
   2. B. Combustion
   3. C. Photosynthesis
   4. D. Decomposition


2. What process releases carbon dioxide when you exhale?
   1. A. Photosynthesis
   2. B. Respiration
   3. C. Combustion
   4. D. Decomposition


3. Burning wood in a fireplace is an example of which part of the carbon cycle?
   1. A. Respiration
   2. B. Combustion
   3. C. Decomposition
   4. D. Photosynthesis


4. What role do decomposers play in the carbon cycle?
   1. A. Absorb carbon from the atmosphere
   2. B. Store carbon in the soil
   3. C. Release carbon back into the environment from dead organisms
   4. D. Create oxygen


5. How does the ocean participate in the carbon cycle?
   1. A. By releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
   2. B. By absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
   3. C. By only storing carbon in marine organisms
   4. D. By only releasing carbon through volcanic vents


6. What human activity significantly increases the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere?
   1. A. Planting trees
   2. B. Composting food scraps
   3. C. Burning fossil fuels
   4. D. Using renewable energy sources


7. Which of these is an example of carbon sequestration?
   1. A. A forest absorbing $CO_2$
   2. B. A volcano erupting
   3. C. A car burning gasoline
   4. D. An animal breathing