Nitrogen, Carbon and Phosphorus CyclesThe carbon cycle deals with the interaction of carbon between living organisms and the non-living environment. This cycle is a process by which all carbon rotates. The main result of the carbon cycle is to act as a great natural "recycler" of carbon atoms. The cycle works in a very basic way. First, carbon is taken from carbon dioxide in the air. Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and use it, along with the water they get from the soil, to produce the substances they need for growth. The carbon is then mixed with water. The carbon dioxide is then transformed into sugar (glucose). The process of photosynthesis incorporates carbon atoms from carbon dioxide into sugars. Animals obtain carbon by feeding on plants and other animals. Animals eat plants and use carbon to build their tissues. Animals get rid of carbon dioxide in a process called respiration in which an organism supplies oxygen to its tissues and cells and rids the tissues and cells of carbon dioxide. Some animals, however, only get rid of carbon dioxide when they breathe, and when they die, the carbon is returned to the soil during decomposition. Carbon items continue to be recycled over and over again. For example, the carbon atoms can then be used in a new plant or in small microorganisms. Ultimately, the same carbon atom can move through many organisms and even end up in the same place where it began. Combustion is another way carbon is returned to the atmosphere. Oil, gas, wood and coal use this process. The molecules combine with oxygen and then convert to water and carbon dioxide and also release light and heat. Human beings play with… middle of paper… dust in the air. It condenses when it reaches the dew point. When it condenses, it becomes liquid again or turns into ice, hail, rain, sleet or snow. These water particles eventually come together and form clouds. Precipitation in the form of ice, rain, sleet, snow and hail comes from clouds. Clouds move around the world, pushed by air currents. Water vapor is also emitted by plants in a process called transpiration. Excessive rain or melting snow can produce overland runoff into streams and ditches. Runoff is a visible flow of water into rivers, streams and lakes as water stored in the reservoir is drained. Bibliography: Sources consulted1. Environmental textbook by Raven, Berg, Johnson2. "Science in the world around us" by: David Lancer3. “Discover the Environment” by: Lori Klien4. www.Encarta.com5. http://library.thinkquest.org/11226