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What is the primary function of the carbon cycle

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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.

User Emeric Verschuur
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The carbon cycle refers to the cycling of the inorganic and organic carbon. The carbon is very important element in the living and non living things. the basic building block of the living thing is made up of organic material.

The carbon exist as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and as an organic remain in the soil. The carbon cycle maintains the balance between the organic remains and carbon dioxide.

In this cycle the the incorporation of carbon dioxide inside the plants by photosynthesis occurs and it is returned to the atmosphere by the process of respiration as well as the decaying dead organisms.


User PlageMan
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