Explain carbon cycle in ecosystem. Give a linear diagram of carbon cycle.
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Solution
Carbon
is a component of all organic compounds of protoplasm like carbohydrates,
lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, enzymes, hormones, etc. It constitutes 49% of
dry weight of organisms and is next only to water in abundance. Carbon cycling
occurs through atmosphere, ocean and through living and dead organisms. A
considerable amount of carbon returns to the atmosphere as CO2 through
respiratory activities of producers and consumers. Decomposers also contribute
substantially to CO2 pool by their processing of waste materials and dead
organic matter of land or oceans. Burning of wood, forest fire and combustion
of organic matter, fossil fuels, volcanic activities are additional sources for
releasing CO2 in the atmosphere.