How Does Carbon Move Through the Carbon Cycle

Question

How does carbon move through the carbon cycle?
A) Carbon flows one way from volcanoes to plants to consumers and then to the atmosphere.
B) Carbon is recycled among plants, animals, water, soil, and the atmosphere.
C) Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the only carbon-containing compound involved in the carbon cycle.
D) Exhaled carbon dioxide becomes trapped in the atmosphere, adding to the greenhouse effect.

Accepted Answer

Carbon is constantly being recycled among various sources in the carbon cycle, including plants, animals, water, soil, and the atmosphere. This process involves a variety of biological, geological, and chemical processes that move carbon between these reservoirs. As carbon is exchanged among these sources, it can be transformed into different forms such as carbon dioxide, which can then be taken up by plants for photosynthesis, or converted into organic carbon in the soil. Overall, the carbon cycle serves an important role in regulating the Earth's climate and maintaining the balance of carbon levels in the atmosphere.