Carbon atoms are part of the carbon cycle, the movement of carbon from the atmosphere into organisms in the earth and then back into the atmosphere over and over again. Recall that plants remove carbon dioxide from the air and use it to make glucose during photosynthesis. Within the plant's body, carbon atoms might move from the glucose to a protein in a leaf cell. Then, when the plant dies and decays, the protein is broken down. The carbon atoms move into carbon dioxide molecules and again become part of the atmosphere. In another scenario, the plant may be eaten by a grasshopper and become part of its muscle. When the grasshopper dies and decays, the carbon returns to the atmosphere in a carbon dioxide molecule. Carbon also enters the atmosphere when carbon-rich fossil fuels formed millions of years ago when ancient plans, algae, and animals died and were buried. The dead plants, algae, and animals gradually decayed and became fossil fuels. Coal is burned in many power plants. Fuels refined from crude oil, power most car, bus, airplane, and truck engines.

Question

Carbon cycle: Nature's way of reusing carbon atoms which travel from the atmosphere into organisms and then back into the atmosphere, over and over again. For questions 18-21 use the drop down menu to identify the movement in the carbon cycle.

Answer 1

It sounds like you are working on a lesson about the carbon cycle and how carbon atoms move through different processes in nature. While I'm unable to provide drop-down menus directly, I can help you understand the movements involved in the carbon cycle, which could be used to answer questions 18-21. Here are some key processes you could consider:

1. Photosynthesis: Plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and convert it into glucose (C6H12O6) using sunlight.

2. Respiration: Animals (including humans) breathe in oxygen and use glucose for energy, releasing CO2 back into the atmosphere as a byproduct.

3. Decomposition: When plants and animals die, decomposers (like bacteria and fungi) break down their bodies, releasing CO2 back into the atmosphere through the decomposition process.

4. Consumption: When herbivores (like grasshoppers) eat plants, the carbon from the plant is transferred into their bodies as they convert it into muscle and other organic materials.

5. Combustion: The burning of fossil fuels (like coal or oil) releases stored carbon back into the atmosphere as CO2.

6. Fossilization: Some carbon-rich matter from dead organisms can be buried and transformed over millions of years into fossil fuels, which can later be burned to release CO2.

If you have more specific descriptions or scenarios related to the carbon cycle for your questions 18-21, feel free to share, and I can help clarify or suggest appropriate movements to match those scenarios!