The Carbon cycle in nature refers to the idea that Carbon moves through the orga

Question

The Carbon cycle in nature refers to the idea that Carbon moves through the organisms and the atmosphere alternating between CO2 and organic carbon. How do plants and animals contribute to the Carbon Cycle? Be specific. What organelles, enzymes and processes are involved in either fixing or releasing CO2? How is Carbons cycled between plants plants and animals? (Key words that will not show up on the exam.... Photosynthesis, respiration, RUBISCO, mitochondria, chloroplasts, glycolysis, Krebs, gluconeogenesis, Calvin, light cycle.)

Please be specific. This is an essay question and should have multiple sentances explaining the answer. Thank you!

Explanation / Answer

Carbon cycle helps in understanding the movement of the carbon from atmosphere and organism which alters between carbon dioxide and organic carbon. The carbon is one of the most essential elements in the living organism which is taken by the plants in form of carbon dioxide by the plants and it converts it into organic molecule. The plants and autotrophic organisms capture the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The chloroplasts are the green pigments which are responsible for capturing the carbon – dioxide through the process of photosynthesis. It is present in thylakoids inside the plant cells. It is used and it produces the ATP.

The plants convert the carbon dioxide to inorganic carbon in presence of RuBISCO enzyme system. The carbon cycle is the continuous movement of the carbon from atmosphere to the plants to the animals and back to the atmosphere. The carbon move from the atmosphere to the plants in form of carbon dioxide which is again consumed by the animals. When the animals consume the plants, the carbon is present in its inorganic form. The carbon cycled between plants and animals as they depend on each other for that.

The animals after consuming the plants breaks down the food into simpler particles. In animals it is the process of glycolysis which helps in production of energy and supplying the carbon source. The sugars are important fuel through which carbon dioxide is produced as byproduct upon degradation and it is released in the atmosphere. The food molecules are broken down into simpler molecules with help of special enzymatic system. During glycolysis, one molecule of glucose converts into two molecules of pyruvate. Mitochondria is the organelle where oxidative breakdown takes place and it produces energy needed for work. As it continues, the Carbon dioxide is released in the atmosphere which is consumed by plants.

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