This key facts covers Key Facts within Carbon Cycle for GCSE Biology. Topic 3: Carbon Cycle It is section 3 of 11 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 3 of 11
Practice
26 questions
Recall
12 flashcards
📌 Key Facts
- Photosynthesis — REMOVES CO₂ from atmosphere (plants, algae)
- Respiration — RETURNS CO₂ to atmosphere (all living things — including plants!)
- Combustion — burning fossil fuels/wood releases stored carbon as CO₂
- Decomposition — bacteria/fungi break down dead organisms, releasing CO₂ through respiration
- Fossil fuels — carbon stored for millions of years, released when burned
- Peat bogs — important carbon stores; draining them releases CO₂
Keep building this topic
Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Carbon Cycle. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.
Practice Questions for Carbon Cycle
Which process removes CO₂ from the atmosphere?
Explain how decomposers return carbon to the atmosphere.
Quick Recall Flashcards
What does the carbon cycle do?
The carbon cycle continuously moves carbon between the atmosphere (as CO₂), living organisms, the soil, and fossil fuels.
Carbon is never created or destroyed — it is recycled.
How does decomposition return carbon to the atmosphere?
Decomposers (bacteria and fungi) break down dead organisms.
They respire, releasing CO₂ back into the atmosphere.
Without decomposers, carbon would be locked in dead material forever.
26 questions on Carbon Cycle — practise free
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