The Carbon Cycle

The carbon cycle explains how carbon is recycled between the atmosphere, plants and animals. Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air during photosynthesis to produce food (carbohydrates). The carbon compounds made by plants include carbohydrates (sugars and starch), proteins and fats.

Animals eat plants and pass the carbon compounds down the food chain. Animals breathe out carbon dioxide, back into the air. When plants and animals die, they decompose and carbon dioxide is again returned to the air.

Burning fossil fuels also returns carbon dioxide from plants back into the air.