A user's guide to the Carbon Cycle

Abstract

Life as we know it is based on carbon. The giant molecules that are characteristic of living things - polysaccharides, proteins and nucleic acids are all long chains of carbon containing units. The small molecules - such as amino acids and ATP - are also made of carbon. But carbon is not a static constituent of life - it travels to and fro throughout the biosphere; its comings and goings are known as The Carbon Cycle.

References

1. Primo Levi (1986) The Periodic Table ISBN:0141185147. (The final chapter gives an account of the movements of a carbon atom through the carbon cycle)
2. John A. Lee (1988) 'Acid Rain' Biological Sciences Review,1(1):15-18.
3. Peter D. Moore (1996) 'Opening a global window - carbon cycling in the atmosphere' Biological Sciences Review, 9(2):10-14.
4. Robbin C. Moran. (1996) 'Quillwort quirks', Biological Sciences Review,8(5):32-34.
5. David Alan Walker (1993) Energy, Plants and Man , Oxygraphics Limited ISBN:1870232054 (A comprehensive presentation of the basic concepts of photosynthesis together with a discussion of the greenhouse effect, global warming, renewable resources and pollution)