DOE Explains...the Carbon Cycle
The carbon cycle is the process that moves carbon between plants, animals, and microbes; minerals in the earth; and the atmosphere. Carbon is the fourth most abundant element in the universe. With its ability to form complex molecules such as DNA and proteins, carbon makes life on Earth possible. Carbon in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2) is also an important part of our atmosphere, where it helps to control the Earth’s temperature.
