Question

part a (1 of 3)
what name is given to the process by which detritivores return carbon to the atmosphere?

• burning
• predation
• photosynthesis
• predation and photosynthesis
• decomposition

Explanation:

Detritivores break down dead organic matter via decomposition, releasing carbon (as carbon dioxide) back into the atmosphere. Burning is a combustion process, predation is consuming live organisms, and photosynthesis takes in atmospheric carbon, so these do not match the described process.

Answer:

E. decomposition