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CYCLES AROUND YOU
There are many types of cycles in living organisms and across the Earth. One of these is labeled the Carbon Cycle. It's a large cycle that involves the movement of carbon through living and non-living organisms. Plants are a good starting point when looking at the carbon cycle on Earth. Plants have a process called photosynthesis that enables them to take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and combine it with water. Using the energy of the Sun, plants make sugars and oxygen molecules. All of the non-photosynthetic creatures on the planet use the oxygen. Every creature on the planet uses the sugars and starches created by plants.
Another part of the carbon cycle happens when organisms (plant and animal) break sugars down into energy, water, and carbon dioxide. Animals are the non-photosynthetic creatures of the planet. They are not able to create their own food. Instead, they eat plants or other animals. A process of metabolism breaks down the sugars and starches they eat. The results are energy for the creature, water, and carbon dioxide molecules. The carbon dioxide then returns to the atmosphere where the plants use it again. SMALL CYCLESThere are also smaller cycles that happen in individual cells. The Kreb's cycle is a term used to describe the citric acid cycle that occurs in the mitochondria during glycolysis. This smaller cycle takes a molecule called pyruvic acid and pulls energy out of it. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is also released during the process.
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Go for site help or a list of chemistry topics at the site map!©copyright 1997-2007 Andrew Rader Studios, All rights reserved. Current Page: Chem4Kids.com | Biochemistry | Biochemical Cycles |
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