Exploring the Carbon Cycle and Its Impact on Global Warming

The video explains the carbon cycle, highlighting its complexity and the roles of the biosphere, atmosphere, oceans, and geosphere. It uses simple examples, like a cow and a plant, to illustrate carbon flow. The video also discusses processes like respiration, decomposition, and photosynthesis, and how they contribute to carbon movement. It emphasizes the oceans' role as a carbon reservoir and the impact of temperature on carbon absorption. Finally, it addresses human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and cement production, that disrupt the natural carbon cycle, leading to increased greenhouse gases and global warming.

Which of the following areas is NOT part of the carbon cycle?

• Oceans

• Atmosphere

• Stratosphere

• Terrestrial biosphere

What happens to the carbon in plants when an animal eats them?

• It is absorbed into the animal's body.

• It evaporates.

• It is released into the atmosphere immediately.

• It turns into fossil fuels.

What is the process called when carbon dioxide is released as waste from an animal's body?

• Respiration

• Combustion

• Sedimentation

• Photosynthesis

How do fungi and bacteria contribute to the carbon cycle?

• By producing oxygen

• By absorbing carbon dioxide

• By breaking down organic matter

• By creating fossil fuels

What role do plants play in the carbon cycle?

• They do not play any role.

• They convert carbon dioxide into fossil fuels.

• They absorb carbon dioxide and store it in their leaves and trunks.

• They release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

What is the primary function of algae in the carbon cycle?

• To absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis

• To release carbon dioxide

• To produce fossil fuels

• To create limestone

How does bicarbonate form in ocean water?

• Through the weathering of silicate rocks

• By the decay of fish

• By the burning of fossil fuels

• Through volcanic eruptions

What happens to limestone formed in the ocean?

• It floats to the surface

• It sinks to the bottom, locking up carbon

• It turns into fossil fuels

• It evaporates

Which human activity does NOT release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere?

• Photosynthesis

• Burning biomass

• Producing cement

• Burning fossil fuels

How do greenhouse gases affect Earth's temperature?

• They cool the Earth by reflecting sunlight.

• They have no effect on Earth's temperature.

• They trap heat, causing the Earth to warm up.

• They only affect the temperature at night.