George's Learning Log

The Carbon Cycle

By George B.S.

The Carbon Cycle is one of the most important cycles in this planet. Carbon is one of the bases of life. There is many parts of the Carbon Cycle. Here is a list:

Photosynthesis

Compaction

Respiration

Decompose

We will also cover the human affect the Carbon Cycle.

Carbon is an atom, not a molecule. The most known molecule that has carbon in it is Carbon Dioxide (CO2).

Most people think respiration is simple. They think it’s just inhaling in Oxygen and exhaling Carbon Dioxide. Your every day person doesn’t know what happens afterwards. Your body turns the food you eat into sugar. Your body then makes the Oxygen and sugar collide which makes energy, water, and Carbon Dioxide. The water is mixed with salt and toxins to make urine. Energy is used as your body’s power and Carbon Dioxide is exhaled. So respiration is not just inhaling oxygen and exhaling Carbon Dioxide.

Photosynthesis is more than plants taking in Carbon Dioxide and letting out Oxygen. It also is the plants absorbing the sun’s rays, drinking the water, and absorbing nutrients from the ground. Plants make there own Oxygen and sugars. Your probably asking yourself, so where does the Oxygen they release come from, it’s excess oxygen.

When a plant or animal dies, they decompose afterwards if not eaten. When a plant or animal decomposes the dead plant or animal releases Carbon Dioxide into the air. Nutrients are provided to the ground which helps in photosynthesis. Sometimes a plant or animal does not decompose in time, in which compaction starts.

Compaction is the making of fossil fuels when a plant or animal dies without decomposing in time. The plant or animal would be buried and put under extreme pressures for millions of years. Fossil Fuels are then left under ground until humans find the fuels. Humans are using to many fossil fuels though which is affecting the Carbon Cycle. Humans need to find a different power source.

The human affect the Carbon Cycle is effecting it in a negative way. Humans are burning to many fossil fuels which is releasing Carbon Dioxide into the air. Humans also chop down to many trees for their luxuries. Over all, if humans keep on chopping down trees and burning fossil fuels, they will lead to the planets end.

In conclusion, we have learnt about the various parts of the Carbon Cycle and the negative affect that humans are causing. Over all, we need to stop using fossil fuels and trees.