Question

a diagram of the carbon cycle is shown. which of the following processes is part of the carbon cycle? the carbon cycle diagram: sunlight, photosynthesis, organic carbon, decay organisms, dead organisms and waste products, fossils and fossil fuels, ocean uptake, root respiration, plant respiration, auto and factory emissions, co₂ cycle, animal respiration options: factories remove carbon from the atmosphere by burning materials. decomposers put carbon into the soil by breaking down organic material. animals remove carbon from the atmosphere through the process of respiration. plants put carbon back into the atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis.

Explanation:

• Analyze each option:
• Factories burning materials release \( CO_2 \) (add carbon to atmosphere), so first option is wrong.
• Decomposers break down organic matter, returning carbon to soil (matches the carbon cycle diagram’s “Decay Organisms” and “Dead Organisms and Waste Products” flow).
• Animals respire to release \( CO_2 \) (add, not remove, carbon from atmosphere), so third option is wrong.
• Plants use photosynthesis to take in \( CO_2 \) (remove from atmosphere), not put back, so fourth option is wrong.

Answer:

B. Decomposers put carbon into the soil by breaking down organic material.