The Carbon Cycle
6th Grade•45 minutes
Learning Objective
I can describe how carbon moves through the environment.
Key Concepts
The carbon cycle is important because carbon is needed to make all organic molecules, including carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins.
Photosynthesis removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, while respiration, decomposition, and combustion return carbon to the atmosphere.
Carbon can be stored long-term as fossil fuels, but burning them releases CO₂ into the atmosphere, which can impact Earth's climate.
Practice Questions
This lesson includes 10 practice questions to reinforce learning.
View questions preview
1. What is a nutrient cycle?
2. Why is carbon so important for life on Earth?
3. Describe how plants use carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.
...and 7 more questions
Educational Video
The Carbon Cycle
BioMan Biology