All cells contain carbon, because they all contain proteins, fats and carbohydrates, which themselves contain carbon. For example, plant cell walls are made of cellulose, a carbohydrate.
Carbon dioxide also contains carbon. Carbon dioxide is one of the greenhouse gases. It is present in the atmosphere in small concentrations, about 0.038%. Carbon dioxide is recycled constantly through various processes that form the carbon cycle.
Processes that remove carbon dioxide from the air:
- photosynthesis by plants
- dissolving in the oceans.
Processes that return carbon dioxide to the air:
- respiration by plants, animals and microbes
- combustion (burning wood and fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas)
- thermal decomposition of limestone (for example, in the manufacture of iron, steel and cement).
Decomposers, such as microbes and fungi, meanwhile play an important role in the carbon cycle. They break down the remains of dead plants and animals and, in doing so, release carbon dioxide through respiration.
The diagram below should give you an idea how the carbon cycle works, though it's very simplified.
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|
The
main carbon transfer process during the night is respiration, through
which carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere. There is also combustion,
i.e. the burning of fuels. |
During
the day, in addition to respiration and combustion causing carbon
dioxide to enter the atmosphere, there is photosynthesis, which
is the reverse of respiration, and which takes carbon dioxide from
the atmosphere. Note that nearly all living things respire - including
the microbes that break down the remains of dead organisms. Note
also that when a living thing dies, the carbon in its body - especially
the bones - may fossilise (this has nothing to do with day or night.) |
[ This page has been adapted from www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science
]