What is the carbon cycle? Detailed answer

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What is the carbon cycle? Detailed answer

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What is the carbon cycle?

Perhaps carbon is the most interesting substance of all the chemical elements known to man. Did you know that in crystalline form, for example, it occurs to us as one of the most precious stones - diamond?

In the form of graphite, carbon is used to make pencils. And coal, the source of much of the heat and energy in our age of technology, is also mostly carbon. But more importantly, carbon is essential to sustain life. The bodies of all living beings are made up of compounds that include carbon.

Scientists rightly believe that wherever carbon is found in any quantity, life probably existed there. The carbon cycle is the process by which carbon is continuously removed, used and replaced by living things. Here's how it goes. There is carbon dioxide in the air. Plants extract carbon from this gas and use it to build their roots, trunks and leaves.

Animals get carbon in their food from plants in the form of vegetables, fruits or kidneys. At the same time, carbon dioxide is returned to the air, in particular through the respiration of animals and the combustion or decay of plants. The carbon cycle closes.

When elements are combined, we get connections. The number of carbon compounds known to us is incredible - there are more than 200 of them! All other elements taken together do not form as many compounds as one carbon.

The reason for this is that the carbon atom can combine with atoms of other elements in a wide variety of ways and form rings and chains in combination with other carbon atoms.

You come into contact with carbon compounds or use them in your daily life all the time. You breathe in a small amount of carbon dioxide and breathe out a larger amount. And most combustible substances, foodstuffs, medicines, plastics, perfumes (and many tens and hundreds of other products) are carbon compounds!

Author: Likum A.

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