Question

What role do plants play in the carbon cycle?

Answer 1

The carbon cycle explains the continuous movement of carbon atoms from the atmosphere to the Earth and back to the atmosphere. The amount of carbon in the environment does not change because our Earth and its atmosphere are a closed system.

Complete answer:
Plants use carbon dioxide of the atmosphere and store it in their cells. The consumed carbon dioxide is then used by the plants in the chemical process of photosynthesis. Plants utilize energy from the sun to combine carbon dioxide and water to form sugar and oxygen during photosynthesis.

Carbon is returned to the atmosphere by plants in the form of carbon dioxide. This can happen in four ways:
- Plants release carbon dioxide after breaking down sugar for energy.
- Animals consume plants, break down the sugar for energy, and expel carbon dioxide.
- Plants decompose and die. Bacteria eat the dead plants, break down the sugar for energy, and release carbon dioxide during the decay process.
- Plants are completely destroyed when they come into contact with flames. The sugar in plants reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide when they are burned.

The carbon cycle starts all over again once carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere.

Note: The carbon cycle is significant in ecosystems because it transports carbon, a life-sustaining resource, from the atmosphere and oceans to organisms and back again. Scientists are currently investigating how humans can obtain energy from sources other than carbon-based fuels.