Question

Maya wrote a few steps to describe how carbon circulates between the atmosphere and living organisms. Step 4 is missing.

Step 1: Carbon enters the atmosphere as carbon dioxide from respiration and combustion
Step 2: Plants use carbon dioxide to make glucose
Step 3: Plant-eating animals consume the glucose present in plants
Step 4:

Which of the following best describes step 4?

Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is used by plants for photosynthesis.

Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is converted into glucose by animals.

Dead animals decompose and recycle the carbon in the form of oxygen and water.

Dead animals are buried and form fossil fuels, which produce carbon dioxide when burned.

Answer 1

The answer is; Dead animals are buried and form fossil fuels, which produce carbon dioxide when burned.

When animals and plants are fossilized and buried under sediments, the higher pressure and temperatures turns them to oil, over time, that is mined and combusted for energy by humans. This plays a significant role in the carbon cycle.