carbon cycle - the series of processes by which carbon compounds are interconverted

in the environment, involving the incorporation of carbon dioxide into living tissue by
photosynthesis and its return to the atmosphere through respiration, the decay of dead
organisms, and the burning of fossil fuels

The three key processes and the conversions are shown in the table
below. Carbonenters the atmosphere as carbon dioxide from respiration and
combustion. Carbondioxide is absorbed by producers to make glucose in
photosynthesis. Animals feed on the plant passing the carbon compounds along the
food chain.

Processes in the carbon cycle

The carbon cycle is easiest to understand in terms of its processes and how carbon is
converted. The three key processes and the conversions are shown in the table below.

Process Carbon starts as Carbon ends as

Photosynthesis Respiration Combustion (burning)

Carbon dioxide Glucose Fuel (eg methane or wood)

Glucose Carbon dioxide Carbon dioxide

1. Carbon enters the atmosphere as carbon dioxide from respiration and

combustion.
2. Carbon dioxide is absorbed by producers to make glucose in photosynthesis.
3. Animals feed on the plant passing the carbon compounds along the food chain.
Most of the carbon they consume is exhaled as carbon dioxide that was formed
during aerobic respiration. The animals and plants eventually die.
4. Decomposers break down the dead organisms and return the carbon in their
bodies to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide by respiration. In some conditions,
decomposition is blocked. The plant and animal material may then be available
as fossil fuel in the future for combustion.