What is the largest pool of carbon on the planet?

What is the largest pool of carbon on the planet?

A - Atmospheric carbon dioxide
B - Sediments in the deep ocean
C - Carbon dioxide dissolved in the oceans
D - Fossil fuels
E - Biomass that makes up all living matter


Answer: B - Sediments in the deep ocean
The largest pool of carbon in the world is actually in the sediments of the deep ocean which are estimated to contain about 50 times the carbon that is currently in the atmosphere. It can stay out of circulation for millions of years, unless humans intervene.

Which of the following is the best explanation for why we study the carbon cycle on a global scale and not as much in specific local ecosystems?

Which of the following is the best explanation for why we study the carbon cycle on a global scale and not as much in specific local ecosystems?

A - Carbon dioxide moves freely throughout the atmosphere and bodies of water, allowing the rapid transfer of carbon across the globe
B - Global Warming!
C - Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
D - The transport of crops, animals, fossil fuels, and carbon containing materials by people gas made the carbon cycle more global in nature
E - Carbon is always readily available to all plants and animals, so it doesn't factors in at the local level at all


Answer: A - Carbon dioxide moves freely throughout the atmosphere and bodies of water, allowing the rapid transfer of carbon across the globe

Which of the following is not a way in which carbon can exit living plant material in the carbon cycle?

Which of the following is not a way in which carbon can exit living plant material in the carbon cycle?

A - Cellular respiration
B - Wildfires
C - Consumed by an animal
D - Dead plant material can be buried under sediment and eventually become fossil fuels
E - None of these are correct answers. They are all ways in which carbon can exist living plant material in the carbon cycle


Answer: E - None of these are correct answers. They are all ways in which carbon can exist living plant material in the carbon cycle

Which of the following processes takes carbon out of the short-term carbon cycle?

Which of the following processes takes carbon out of the short-term carbon cycle?

A - Decomposition of dead organic matter
B - Formation of calcium carbonate by corals
C - Photosynthesis
D - Formation of wood in trees
E - Cellular respiration


Answer: B - Formation of calcium carbonate by corals
CORAL REEFS take the most carbon out because the formation of calcium carbonate exoskeletons doesn't release carbon but solidifies it.Plants take atmospheric carbon dioxide, low in potential energy, and converts it to a high energy-containing carbohydrate using photosynthesis. Cellular respiration uses oxygen to convert organic molecules to carbon dioxide and water to provide energy to cells.

What is the primary source of carbon that can be used by plants?

What is the primary source of carbon that can be used by plants?

A - Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
B - Dead organic material
C - Calcium carbonate
D - Inorganic carbon in the soil
E - Carbon dioxide dissolved in water


Answer: A - Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
The primary source of carbon for plants is in the atmosphere because carbon dioxide is a gas that can move freely through the air and water.

Identify the conversion which represents nitrification.

Identify the conversion which represents nitrification.

A - Nitrite to nitrate to nitrogen to ammonia
B - Nitrate to nitrite to ammonia to nitrogen
C - Nitrogen to ammonia to nitrite to nitrate
D - Ammonia to nitrate to nitrite to nitrogen


Answer: C - Nitrogen to ammonia to nitrite to nitrate
N2 -> NH3 -> NO2- -> NO3-
NITRIFICATION doesn;t really change the amount of available nitrogen in the environment because plants and other producers can use nitrite and nitrate as sources of nitrogen, it just changes the oxidation state