In three to five sentences, describe how the diagram of Earth’s carbon cycle demonstrates the interactions among the biosphere (plants), the lithosphere (ground), the atmosphere (air), and the hydrosphere (water).
Carbon cycle shows the movement of carbon through Earth's spheres. The bottom page has dirt with decaying organisms, root respiration, and mineral carbon labeled. On top of that layer is plant, grass and animal layer with organic carbon labeled. There is a water layer labeled ocean uptake. Finally there is an atmosphere layer labeled with animal resiration, plant respiration, factory and vehicle emissions and photosynthesis. In the top left corner is the sun. An set of arrows form a circle through the image. It begins at the bottom with dead organisms and waste products. The next arrow moves up past the factory and into the atmosphere and is labled carbon dioxide and then rejoins the bottom arrow at dead organisms and waste products.
(4 points)
Short Answer Rubric (4 points)
Points Awarded
4 points
- Describes the movement of carbon through Earth's spheres as shown in the diagram
- Mentions the interactions among the biosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere
- Refers to specific components labeled in the diagram such as decaying organisms, plant respiration, ocean uptake, and emissions from factories and vehicles
- Shows an understanding of how carbon moves through different parts of the environment in a continuous cycle