Question

1. wastes and dead organisms must be broken down in order for their components to be used again. what organisms in the cycle carry out this process?
2. what would happen if decomposition did not occur?
3. not all dead organisms are acted on by decomposers. instead of being immediately recycled, the carbon from some organisms is locked in a type of long - term storage, or carbon sink. answer the questions below about this long - term storage.

a. list three materials that contain this stored carbon.
b. what is the collective term for these three materials?
c. how do modern humans use these carbon stores?
d. how does our use of these carbon stores affect the amount of co₂ in the atmosphere?
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carbon dioxide (co₂) is one of the so - called greenhouse gases. these gases hold heat energy in the atmosphere which raises the overall temperature of the earth. this helps maintain the earths biosphere, but also has led to environmental concerns.

1. what is another way in which human activity is increasing the amount of atmospheric co₂, and what are potential global effects of these changes in co₂ levels?

Explanation:

1. Decomposers such as bacteria, fungi, and some invertebrates break down wastes and dead organisms to recycle their components.
2. If decomposition did not occur, dead organisms and wastes would accumulate, nutrients would not be recycled, and ecosystems would be disrupted.

6a. Coal, oil, and natural gas are materials with stored carbon.
6b. Fossil fuels is the collective term for these materials.
6c. Modern humans use fossil - fuels for energy, such as in electricity generation, transportation, and heating.
6d. Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, increasing its concentration. Higher CO₂ levels contribute to the greenhouse effect and global warming.

1. Deforestation reduces the number of trees that absorb CO₂, increasing atmospheric CO₂ levels. This can lead to more extreme weather events, rising sea - levels, and impacts on biodiversity.

Answer:

1. Decomposers (bacteria, fungi, some invertebrates).
2. Dead organisms and wastes would accumulate, nutrients not recycled, ecosystems disrupted.

6a. Coal, oil, natural gas.
6b. Fossil fuels.
6c. For energy (electricity generation, transportation, heating).
6d. Increases CO₂ concentration, contributes to greenhouse effect and global warming.

1. Deforestation; more extreme weather, rising sea - levels, impacts on biodiversity.