Question

1. complete the following flow chart. you’ll follow a carbon atom from the atmosphere 300 million years ago to the ocean in modern times. follow the arrows carefully! a carbon atom was in the atmosphere 300 million years ago as part of a ________ (co₂) molecule. through the process of ______ in a fern, the carbon atom in the co₂ became a part of a glucose molecule (c₆h₁₂o₆) in a fern. the fern was eaten by a dinosaur. another fern took this co₂ molecule out of the atmosphere to perform ______ to make glucose. when this fern died, it sank to the bottom of the swamp, taking the carbon-containing glucose molecule with it. the dinosaur got energy from this process and released ______ when it breathed out. in the dino’s cells, the process of ______ occurred. over time, many more plants died in the swamp. gradually, the swamp became drier and less tropical. decaying plant matter was trapped under a thick layer of ______. under pressure, the decaying matter turned into ________, a carbon-containing rock which is burned to generate electricity. when it is burned, it releases co₂ into the atmosphere. when a clam or other shelled marine animal dies, its shell sinks to the bottom of the ocean floor to form sediments of limestone and natural chalk. and this is where this co₂ in water is captured by marine organisms such as clams to make the calcium carbonate (caco₃) of their carbon dioxide in the atmosphere may be used by plants for photosynthesis or absorbed by the

Explanation:

To solve this flowchart about the carbon cycle, we analyze each step based on biological (photosynthesis, respiration) and geological (fossil fuel formation) processes:

Step 1: First Box (Atmospheric CO₂)

A carbon atom in the atmosphere 300 million years ago is part of a $\boldsymbol{\ce{CO_2}}$ (carbon dioxide) molecule.

Step 2: Fern’s Process (Making Glucose)

The fern uses $\boldsymbol{\text{photosynthesis}}$ to take in $\ce{CO_2}$ and make glucose ($\ce{C_6H_{12}O_6}$). Photosynthesis converts $\ce{CO_2 + H_2O + light
ightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6 + O_2}$.

Step 3: Process in Fern (Incorporating CO₂ into Glucose)

Through $\boldsymbol{\text{photosynthesis}}$, the carbon in $\ce{CO_2}$ becomes part of glucose in the fern.

Step 4: Dinosaur’s Energy & Gas Release

The dinosaur gets energy from $\boldsymbol{\text{cellular respiration}}$ (which breaks down glucose) and releases $\boldsymbol{\ce{CO_2}}$ when it breathes out (respiration: $\ce{C_6H_{12}O_6 + O_2
ightarrow CO_2 + H_2O + energy}$).

Step 5: Dinosaur’s Cell Process

In the dino’s cells, $\boldsymbol{\text{cellular respiration}}$ occurs (to release energy from glucose).

Step 6: Swamp Sediment Layer

Decaying plant matter is trapped under a thick layer of $\boldsymbol{\text{sediment}}$ (over time, this sediment compresses organic matter).

Step 7: Decaying Matter to Rock

Under pressure, decaying matter turns into $\boldsymbol{\text{coal}}$ (a carbon - containing rock, formed from ancient plant matter; burned for electricity, releasing $\ce{CO_2}$).

Step 8: Marine Organism Shells

Marine organisms like clams use $\ce{CO_2}$ in water to make $\boldsymbol{\text{shells}}$ (calcium carbonate, $\ce{CaCO_3}$) for their exoskeletons/shells.

Filling the Flowchart (Key Terms):

1. First box: $\boldsymbol{\text{carbon dioxide}}$ (as $\ce{CO_2}$)
2. Fern’s process (to make glucose): $\boldsymbol{\text{photosynthesis}}$
3. Process in fern (incorporating $\ce{CO_2}$ into glucose): $\boldsymbol{\text{photosynthesis}}$
4. Dinosaur’s gas release: $\boldsymbol{\ce{CO_2}}$ (carbon dioxide)
5. Dinosaur’s cell process: $\boldsymbol{\text{cellular respiration}}$
6. Swamp layer: $\boldsymbol{\text{sediment}}$
7. Carbon - containing rock: $\boldsymbol{\text{coal}}$
8. Marine organism structure: $\boldsymbol{\text{shells}}$

(Note: The exact wording may align with textbook terminology, but these terms reflect the carbon cycle processes of photosynthesis, respiration, fossil fuel formation, and marine carbonate deposition.)

Answer:

To solve this flowchart about the carbon cycle, we analyze each step based on biological (photosynthesis, respiration) and geological (fossil fuel formation) processes:

Step 1: First Box (Atmospheric CO₂)

A carbon atom in the atmosphere 300 million years ago is part of a $\boldsymbol{\ce{CO_2}}$ (carbon dioxide) molecule.

Step 2: Fern’s Process (Making Glucose)

The fern uses $\boldsymbol{\text{photosynthesis}}$ to take in $\ce{CO_2}$ and make glucose ($\ce{C_6H_{12}O_6}$). Photosynthesis converts $\ce{CO_2 + H_2O + light
ightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6 + O_2}$.

Step 3: Process in Fern (Incorporating CO₂ into Glucose)

Through $\boldsymbol{\text{photosynthesis}}$, the carbon in $\ce{CO_2}$ becomes part of glucose in the fern.

Step 4: Dinosaur’s Energy & Gas Release

The dinosaur gets energy from $\boldsymbol{\text{cellular respiration}}$ (which breaks down glucose) and releases $\boldsymbol{\ce{CO_2}}$ when it breathes out (respiration: $\ce{C_6H_{12}O_6 + O_2
ightarrow CO_2 + H_2O + energy}$).

Step 5: Dinosaur’s Cell Process

In the dino’s cells, $\boldsymbol{\text{cellular respiration}}$ occurs (to release energy from glucose).

Step 6: Swamp Sediment Layer

Decaying plant matter is trapped under a thick layer of $\boldsymbol{\text{sediment}}$ (over time, this sediment compresses organic matter).

Step 7: Decaying Matter to Rock

Under pressure, decaying matter turns into $\boldsymbol{\text{coal}}$ (a carbon - containing rock, formed from ancient plant matter; burned for electricity, releasing $\ce{CO_2}$).

Step 8: Marine Organism Shells

Marine organisms like clams use $\ce{CO_2}$ in water to make $\boldsymbol{\text{shells}}$ (calcium carbonate, $\ce{CaCO_3}$) for their exoskeletons/shells.

Filling the Flowchart (Key Terms):

1. First box: $\boldsymbol{\text{carbon dioxide}}$ (as $\ce{CO_2}$)
2. Fern’s process (to make glucose): $\boldsymbol{\text{photosynthesis}}$
3. Process in fern (incorporating $\ce{CO_2}$ into glucose): $\boldsymbol{\text{photosynthesis}}$
4. Dinosaur’s gas release: $\boldsymbol{\ce{CO_2}}$ (carbon dioxide)
5. Dinosaur’s cell process: $\boldsymbol{\text{cellular respiration}}$
6. Swamp layer: $\boldsymbol{\text{sediment}}$
7. Carbon - containing rock: $\boldsymbol{\text{coal}}$
8. Marine organism structure: $\boldsymbol{\text{shells}}$

(Note: The exact wording may align with textbook terminology, but these terms reflect the carbon cycle processes of photosynthesis, respiration, fossil fuel formation, and marine carbonate deposition.)