The Carbon Cycle

If you want to understand the carbon cycle, be sure to practice this vocabulary list. Learn about the processes involved in the carbon cycle, including photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and decomposition. You'll also review fossil fuels, carbon dioxide emissions, climate change, and more.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. acidification
    the process of shifting toward the lower end of the pH scale
  2. atmosphere
    the mass of air surrounding the Earth
  3. biomass
    the total amount of living matter in a given unit area
  4. biosphere
    the regions of the Earth where living organisms exist
  5. biotic
    of or relating to living organisms
  6. carbon
    an abundant nonmetallic element in all organic compounds
  7. carbon dioxide
    a colorless, odorless greenhouse gas essential for photosynthesis
  8. cellular respiration
    the metabolic processes whereby certain organisms obtain energy from organic molecules; processes that take place in the cells and tissues during which energy is released and carbon dioxide is produced and absorbed by the blood to be transported to the lungs
  9. climate change
    a shift in the world's average weather and temperature
  10. combustion
    a reaction of a substance with oxygen to give heat and light
  11. concentration
    the strength of a solution
  12. cycle
    a periodically repeated sequence of events
  13. decomposition
    the organic phenomenon of rotting
  14. deforestation
    the state of being clear of trees
  15. diffusion
    movement of a substance from an area of high concentration
  16. emission
    a substance that is released
  17. fossil
    the remains of a plant or animal from a past geological age
  18. fossil fuel
    energy-producing substance derived from preserved organisms
  19. geosphere
    the solid part of the Earth
  20. greenhouse effect
    warming due to solar radiation trapped by the atmosphere
  21. greenhouse gas
    a substance in the air that warms a planet by trapping heat
  22. hydrocarbon
    an organic compound containing only carbon and hydrogen
  23. hydrosphere
    the watery layer of the earth's surface
  24. lithosphere
    the solid part of the Earth
  25. methane
    a colorless, odorless gas used as a fuel
  26. oxygen
    a colorless, odorless gas that is essential for respiration
  27. photosynthesis
    formation of compounds in plants aided by radiant energy
  28. respiration
    the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation
  29. sediment
    matter that has been deposited by some natural process
  30. sequestration
    the action of forming a chelate or other stable compound with an ion or atom or molecule so that it is no longer available for reactions
Created on Mon Jan 30 21:05:37 EST 2017 (updated Fri Mar 31 16:57:57 EDT 2017)

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