Material cycles: the carbon cycle
I can describe the processes in the carbon cycle.
Material cycles: the carbon cycle
I can describe the processes in the carbon cycle.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Carbon is found in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.
- The carbon cycle shows how carbon is recycled between organisms and the atmosphere.
- Carbon dioxide can be removed from the atmosphere by plants, who use it during the process of photosynthesis.
- Carbon is returned to the atmosphere by the burning of fossil fuels and the decay of dead plant and animal material.
Keywords
Atmosphere - The atmosphere is a layer of gases that surround a planet. It may contain small amounts of solid and liquid particles.
Combustion - In a combustion reaction, fuel is burned and reacts with oxygen to provide energy. Carbon dioxide is released in combustion reactions.
Cellular respiration - Cellular respiration is a chemical process in cells, which uses glucose as a fuel to provide energy for life processes.
Photosynthesis - Producers make their own food using a series of chemical reactions called photosynthesis. The reaction includes taking in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Common misconception
The atmosphere is made up of mainly oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Explain that Earth's atmosphere is delicately balanced. There is enough oxygen to maintain life, and enough carbon dioxide to help insulate the planet, maintaining the temperature that allows life to exist.
To help you plan your year 10 biology lesson on: Material cycles: the carbon cycle, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 biology lesson on: Material cycles: the carbon cycle, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 biology lessons from the Living organisms and their environments unit, dive into the full secondary biology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
None.
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
