Carbon: The Element of Life

THE

CARBON

CYCLE

Carbon makes up about 18 % of the human body.

It is one of the most important elements for life as we know it.

Living things on Earth are referred to as carbon-based
lifeforms.

This is because the molecules of life (DNA, RNA,
protein, carbohydrates, lipids) all have carbon as
their backbone.

What is Carbon?

Carbon is the 6th element on
the periodic table.

Its structure (having 4 valence
electrons) means it will often
join with other elements and
other Carbon atoms.

Fill in the Blank

Living things on Earth are referred to as ?????-based
lifeforms.

Multiple Choice

Carbon is what?

• An Element

• A compound

• Not important

Carbon flows through the world as a CYCLE, which makes it a part of everyday life.

​

Carbon Cycle

Open Ended

To finish, tell me everything you learnt in your own words

Labelling

Complete the cycle

Drag labels to their correct position on the image

Carbon Dioxide

Fossils and fossils fuels

Animal respiration

PhotoSynthesis

Factory emissions

Labelling

Complete the cycle

Drag labels to their correct position on the image

Carbon Dioxide

Fossils and fossils fuels

Animal respiration

PhotoSynthesis

Factory emissions

​​Carbon is released into the atmosphere by:
- Respiration (breathing)
- Decomposition
- Combustion (Fire and energy)

Carbon is removed from the atmosphere by:
- The ocean
- Photosynthesis (Plants making energy)

Multiple Select

Carbon goes into the atmosphere by:

(3 correct answers)

• Combustion (factory and energy)

• Respitation (Breathing)

• The Ocean

• Photosynthesis (Plants)

• Decompistion

Multiple Select

Carbon goes leaves the atmosphere by:

(2 correct answers)

• Combustion (factory and energy)

• Respitation (Breathing)

• The Ocean

• Photosynthesis (Plants)

• Decompistion

Carbon dioxide is important in the atmosphere because it traps
heat from the Sun.

This is called the greenhouse effect, and it keeps the average
temperature of the Earth at 17 °C.

Without the greenhouse effect the average temperature

would be –15 °C!!!

Unfortunately, mankind has burned so

much fossil fuel (coal and oil) that the

amount of carbon dioxide in the

atmosphere has increased a lot and is

trapping too much heat

Fill in the Blank

Carbon Dioxide is important because it _____ in heat from the sun

Multiple Choice

When there is too much Carbon dioxide, What might happen?

• Too much heat gets trapped

• Hard to breathe because of pollution

• Too many plants will grow

• The ocean gets hotter