Question

how do photosynthesis and cellular respiration work together to cycle carbon among earth’s biosphere, geosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere?
○ photosynthesis releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, while cellular respiration stores it in fossil fuels underground.
○ photosynthesis moves carbon from the atmosphere into living beings, while cellular respiration returns carbon back to the atmosphere.
○ photosynthesis stores carbon in rocks of the geosphere, while cellular respiration moves carbon into oceans.
○ photosynthesis and cellular respiration both remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and permanently store it in the biosphere.

Explanation:

• For the first option: Photosynthesis takes in $\ce{CO_2}$, it doesn't release it; cellular respiration doesn't store carbon in fossil fuels (fossil fuel storage is a long - term geochemical process, not respiration).
• For the second option: During photosynthesis, plants use atmospheric $\ce{CO_2}$ to make organic compounds (moving carbon into living beings). In cellular respiration, organisms break down organic compounds and release $\ce{CO_2}$ back into the atmosphere, which is correct.
• For the third option: Photosynthesis doesn't store carbon in geosphere rocks, and cellular respiration doesn't move carbon into oceans (ocean carbon uptake is through diffusion/biological processes other than respiration).
• For the fourth option: Cellular respiration releases $\ce{CO_2}$ into the atmosphere, it doesn't remove it, and carbon in the biosphere isn't permanently stored (it cycles).

Answer:

B. Photosynthesis moves carbon from the atmosphere into living beings, while cellular respiration returns carbon back to the atmosphere.