What is a nutrient cycle?

The recycling of matter, where atoms are reused by living things and the environment.

Why is carbon so important for life on Earth?

Carbon is needed to make all organic molecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids) necessary for living things.

Plants take in CO2 during photosynthesis to make sugars and other organic compounds.

Animals eat plants, transferring the carbon compounds from the plant's body to the animal's body.

I can describe how carbon moves through the environment.

1
The carbon cycle is important because carbon is needed to make all organic molecules, including carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins.
2
Photosynthesis removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, while respiration, decomposition, and combustion return carbon to the atmosphere.
3
Carbon can be stored long-term as fossil fuels, but burning them releases CO₂ into the atmosphere, which can impact Earth's climate.