Biology / Unit 14 Bio 3659 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Carbon Cycle
Captions available
The idea
The carbon cycle moves carbon between the atmosphere, living organisms, oceans, and geologic reservoirs through processes including photosynthesis, respiration, and long-term sedimentary burial.
In practice
Photosynthesis draws atmospheric carbon dioxide into plant biomass, while respiration and decomposition return it to the atmosphere.
Where people slip
The carbon cycle includes slow geologic reservoirs, such as buried sediment, alongside the fast biological exchange most examples emphasize.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it · Sources for Biology