Question

What is carbon cycle?

Answer 1

• Carbon forms an important constituent of organic compounds present in all living beings as the carbohydrates, fats, proteins and nucleic acids etc. It also occurs in various forms in the atmosphere, seas and carbonate rocks. The plants utilise atmospheric CO${}_2$

CO2 to make carbohydrates, proteins and fats. These are then consumed by all living beings.

• Carbon travels through various living beings (producers-consumers) as food in successive trophic levels of food chains. It returns to the atmosphere by decomposers. Carbon dioxide is also released by all living beings during the process of respiration, by burning of materials and the combustion of fuels. Volcanic eruptions release CO${}_2$

CO2 into the atmosphere. So, there is a complete cycling of carbon in the environment by different living and non-living beings.