Final answer:
The carbon cycle's primary function is to move carbon among different Earth's reservoirs, crucial for life processes and climate regulation. It involves photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and the burning of fossil fuels, significantly impacting climate change.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Primary Function of the Carbon Cycle
The primary function of the carbon cycle is to regulate the levels of carbon among the Earth's atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere. Carbon is a fundamental building block of life, as it is a part of all organic molecules including carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. Through processes like photosynthesis, cellular respiration, decomposition, and combustion, carbon is continuously cycled from the atmosphere into organisms and back into the atmosphere. Photosynthetic organisms, such as plants and photosynthetic bacteria, convert carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into organic carbon compounds, which are then used by consumers like animals. Upon death, the organic matter is decomposed by bacteria and fungi, releasing carbon back into the environment. The use of fossil fuels has significantly increased atmospheric carbon dioxide, becoming a driving force behind climate change and environmental concerns.