Carbon Cycle Close Read

Carbon Cycle Close Read
FIGURE 1
You will make observations of a series of diagrams that

detail the carbon cycle. With each new diagram, you will
receive new information in order to help tie together what
you have figured out so far. You will then answer a series
of questions about the information within each diagram.
(At any time, you may refer back to these diagrams.)

FIGURE 2
FIGURE 3
NOTE: Yellow numbers show natural carbon
release and absorption.
What are the long term carbon stores? What are some of the types of human carbon emissions?
Plants, soil, fossils, atmosphere, and ocean. Burning fossil fuels and plant material.
Observe the labels in the diagrams. What is similar and different between the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in the Figures?
There is photosynthesis happening in both and respiration and decomposition in both. Carbon gets trapped at the bottom of the ocean.
Observe the number values in the diagram. What is similar and different between the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in the Figures?
In both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, the amount of respiration is a constant number. They're different because the aquatic ecosystem
releases and intakes more carbon.
Why do these differences exist? Be specific in your explanation.
These differences exist because the ocean stores more carbon in the deep ocean along with the fact that plants in the ocean only live in the
sunlight zone while plants can live anywhere on terrestrial ecosystems which make it easier for carbon to not be trapped in the soil along with the
fact that we can go super deep in soil on earth but we can't go very deep in water.
Using the quantitative data on the diagrams, explain how the ecosystem is attempting to maintain homeostasis. Include the numbers in your
explanation.
Terrestrial: The ecosystem is trying to maintain homeostasis by maintaining the amount of respiration given off. The Carbon number for all of the
respiration in the terrestrial ecosystem is 60
Aquatic: This ecosystem is attepting to maintain homeostasis by keeping the extra carbon in it and letting the normal amount out. It used to be 90
carbon levels going in and out, butnow it is 92 going in and 90 coming out. The extra 2 carbon levels are being kept in the bottom of the ecosystem.
Using the quantitative data on the diagram, explain how the net gain of atmospheric carbon from human emissions impacts these ecosystems.
Terrestrial: It increases the temperature which can kill some plants and animals.
Aquatic: The carbon in the atmosphere can have a reaction with the water in the ocean to make carbonic acid which increases the acidity of the
ocean. This can prevent some plants and animals from living there.
Using the quantitative data on the diagram, explain how you know whether the attempt to maintain homeostasis has been successful or not.
It has not been successful because the amount of carbon in the atmosphere keeps increasing. If it had been successful, then the carbon levels you
flatten out instead of consistently increasing.
Figure 4.
How do producers obtain their carbon from
the environment?
They obtain their carbon from
photosynthesis. It gains it from the soil where
the roots in it early in life and they get it from
the carbon dioxide
Include the specific part(s) of the plant

responsible for this.
In early life, they gain it from their roots, but

as they mature they switch over to gaining
the carbon though their leaves.
What cell structure do the cells of producers

have that enable the process of
photosynthesis? The cells of producers
have chloroplasts which are what producers
have to enable the process of photosynthesis
and consumers don't have them.
In what way(s) do producers add carbon to

the environment? Through cell respiration
and when they are consumed.
In what way(s) do consumers add carbon to the environment?
Respiration and disposal of waste.
What cell structure do the cells of consumers have that enable the process of cell respiration?
Mitochondria.
What are saprotrophs and detritivores?
Saprotrophs are organisms which get energy from decaying organic matter. Detritivores are organisms which get energy from dead organic matter.
Why are these organisms critical to maintaining ecosystem homeostasis?
They break down organic matter releasing it into the environment to be used again.

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Carbon Cycle Close Read

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Carbon Cycle Close Read

You will make observations of a series of diagrams that

(At any time, you may refer back to these diagrams.)

Why do these differences exist? Be specific in your explanation.

Include the specific part(s) of the plant

In early life, they gain it from their roots, but

What cell structure do the cells of producers

In what way(s) do producers add carbon to

Respiration and disposal of waste.

What are saprotrophs and detritivores?

Why are these organisms critical to maintaining ecosystem homeostasis?

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