Question

carbon can cycle within and between the biosphere, the atmosphere, and the geosphere in different ways. the steps in the table describe one possible pathway of an individual carbon atom as it moves through the carbon cycle. match each statement to the step it describes. carbon moves within the biosphere from an autotroph to a heterotroph. carbon moves within the biosphere from a heterotroph to other heterotrophs. carbon moves from the biosphere to the atmosphere via cellular respiration. carbon moves from the biosphere to the geosphere via decomposition. carbon moves from the atmosphere to the biosphere via photosynthesis. step 1: a lion uses glucose obtained from eating and digesting other animals to generate energy. this process produces carbon dioxide, which the lion exhales from its lungs. step 2: an acacia tree absorbs carbon dioxide from the air through its leaves. it uses the carbon dioxide to produce glucose. step 3: an elephant consumes leaves from the acacia tree. the elephant stores glucose from the leaves in its liver as a complex carbohydrate called glycogen. step 4: the elephant dies. fungi decompose the elephants body and use its carbohydrates to produce energy. step 5: as fungi produce energy from carbohydrates, they release various carbon - based molecules into the soil.

Explanation:

1. In Step 1, a lion (heterotroph) uses cellular respiration to produce carbon - dioxide and release it into the atmosphere, so it matches "Carbon moves from the biosphere to the atmosphere via cellular respiration".
2. In Step 2, an acacia tree (autotroph) absorbs carbon - dioxide from the atmosphere and uses it for photosynthesis, so it matches "Carbon moves from the atmosphere to the biosphere via photosynthesis".
3. In Step 3, an elephant (heterotroph) consumes an acacia tree (autotroph), so it matches "Carbon moves within the biosphere from an autotroph to a heterotroph".
4. In Step 4, fungi decompose the elephant's body. This is part of the process where carbon moves from the biosphere to the geosphere via decomposition.
5. In Step 5, as fungi release carbon - based molecules into the soil during energy - production from carbohydrates, it is also part of carbon moving from the biosphere to the geosphere via decomposition.

Answer:

Step 1: Carbon moves from the biosphere to the atmosphere via cellular respiration.
Step 2: Carbon moves from the atmosphere to the biosphere via photosynthesis.
Step 3: Carbon moves within the biosphere from an autotroph to a heterotroph.
Step 4: Carbon moves from the biosphere to the geosphere via decomposition.
Step 5: Carbon moves from the biosphere to the geosphere via decomposition.