One way carbon moves from the atmosphere to the biosphere is through a process which plants use light energy and convert it into biochemical energy.
This process is called photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and water to produce glucose, a form of biochemical energy that can further be used by the plant for growth and development. The chemical equation for photosynthesis is:
6CO2 + 6H2O + sunlight → C6H12O6 + 6O2
In this equation, carbon dioxide (CO2) is taken in from the atmosphere and converted into glucose (C6H12O6) by the plants, while oxygen (O2) is released back into the atmosphere as a byproduct.
Once carbon is incorporated into glucose through photosynthesis, it can be utilized by plants for various purposes. Some glucose is used as immediate energy for cellular processes, while some is stored as starch or other forms of carbohydrates for later use. In this way, carbon is transferred from the atmosphere to the biosphere and becomes a part of the plant's biomass.
Additionally, other organisms in the biosphere, such as animals and fungi, can obtain carbon from plants by consuming them or their products. These organisms then use the carbon-containing compounds obtained from plants as a source of energy and building blocks for their own growth and survival, further transferring carbon through the food chain.
Therefore, photosynthesis plays a crucial role in moving carbon from the atmosphere to the biosphere, providing the foundation for energy flow and carbon cycling within ecosystems.