carbon cycle

The cycle of carbon in the biosphere, in which plants convert carbon dioxide to organic compounds that are consumed by plants and animals, and the carbon is returned to the biosphere in the form of inorganic compounds by processes of respiration and decay.

Related terms:

• carbon isotope ratio
• carbon ratio
• cycle of sedimentation
• Rock Cycle
• carbon sequestration
• carbon sink
• geomorphic cycle
• carbon pool
• carbon-ratio theory
• Water Cycle