Explain the role of organisms in the carbon cycle.

The carbon atom is a fundamental element of living matter. It comes in two forms:

*organism constituting most of the molecules of living organisms.

*inorganic, for example the carbon of atmospheric CO2 or that of limestone (CaCO3).

The organic carbon cycle

Life on Earth profoundly influences the composition of the atmosphere by releasing carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). The processes of respiration and fermentation make up most of these emanations.

Photosynthesis and respiration are the two basic chemical reactions of carbon recycling.

a - Reaction of photosynthesis

The only source of carbon for autotrophic plants is atmospheric CO2.

The role of photosynthesis in the carbon cycle is to fix atmospheric carbon.

Plants (primary producers), by capturing solar energy, convert CO2 combined with water (H2O) into organic matter (chemical energy) with a release of oxygen (O2). The consumer organisms recover this organic matter by ingesting it and by breathing.

b - The breathing

The role of respiration in the carbon cycle is to release energy.

Consumers take up oxygen from the atmosphere and convert chemical energy (a carbohydrate such as glucose) into carbon dioxide.

A third chemical reaction uses carbon dioxide: fermentation

The inorganic carbon cycle

The processes involved in the inorganic carbon cycle are geological in nature and span several thousand years.

This carbon is contained in oceans, atmosphere and sediments and carbonate rocks.

The alteration of the continental rocks will transform the dissolved CO2 in water into HCO3- (bicarbonate).

Organisms assemble HCO3- with calcium (Ca2 +) to secrete their shell or skeleton.

Organism has an essential role in the carbon cycle:

1. Plants utilize carbon for the process called photosynthesis.

2. Animals obtain carbon from food and release it in the atmosphere during respiration.

3. During the decomposition process, the microbes return this carbon to the soil.

Further Explanation:

The living beings are made up of carbon. All the organisms breathe out the carbon dioxide which is released during the process called cellular respiration or other. The plant utilizes carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants make their own food by using sunlight, carbon dioxide and other nutrients. It supports the growth of the plant.

The plant forms new leaves, roots and shoots that fall down during spring season. The fallen leaves are converted into the organic matter which is utilized by the microbes as a source of food. They also respire and release the carbon dioxide in the environment.

The soil has two types of carbon namely; biomass and non-biomass. Biomass consistsof the bacteria and fungi, whereas non-biomass consists ofnon-living substances like cellulose, lignin and starch that are present in dead plants. It helps in binding the soil structure with each other.

Learn More:

1. Learn more about meiosis

2. Learn more about the process of molecular diffusion in a cell

3. Learn more about human sperm and egg cell

Answer Details:

Grade: High School

Subject: Biology

Chapter: Environmental science

Keywords:

Living, carbon, cellular respiration, photosynthesis, plants, sunlight, nutrients, growth, roots, shoots, organic, biomass, non-biomass, cellulose, lignin, starch, soil.

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