Carbon cycle

Definition

The movement of carbon between the atmosphere, living organisms and other parts of the environment.

Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR

Specification 4.7.2.2 · Paper 2

The movement of carbon between the atmosphere, living organisms and other stores, including its return to the air as carbon dioxide.
Revise: Material Cycling

Specification 9.13 · Paper 2

The carbon cycle describes how carbon moves between living things and the non-living environment rather than being used up. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is one starting point for this movement.
Revise: Carbon Cycle

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Specification B4.1c · Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 4 (Higher)

The continuous movement of carbon between living organisms and non-living parts of the environment.
Burning fossil fuels is different in timescale because it rapidly releases carbon that had been stored underground for millions of years. It therefore transfers carbon from a slow, long-term store into the faster carbon cycle.
Revise: Carbon and water cycles