| A | B |
|---|
| Carbon Cycle | The process in which carbon atoms continually travel from the atmosphere to the Earth and then back into the atmosphere. |
| Photosynthesis | the process by which green plants use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water. |
| Respiration | animals use oxygen and release carbon dioxide |
| Combustion | Burning of carbon based materials (wood, gasoline, coal) to obtain energy to do work. Release CO2 as a byproduct |
| Fossil Fuels | Produced during carbon cycle when carbon from dead organisms is compressed deep within earth after millions of years |
| Decomposition | A chemical reaction that breaks down compounds into simpler products to return nutrients to the cycle |
| Volcanic Eruptions | release carbon into the atmosphere from melted carbonate rocks |
| Carbon | Element that is essential to all life forms. Used by plants to build leaves and stems and is stored in the atmosphere as a gas such as CO2. |
