Question

Which of the following describes a plant's role in the carbon cycle?

A. It stores carbon dioxide in its leaves to be consumed by animals
B. It releases carbon dioxide as a byproduct of photosynthesis
C. It converts carbon dioxide to carbohydrates through photosynthesis
D. It decomposes organic carbon molecules like carbohydrates into inorganic carbon compounds in the soil

Answer 1

Plants contribute to the carbon cycle primarily through photosynthesis, where they convert atmospheric carbon dioxide into carbohydrates.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer to the question Which of the following describes a plant's role in the carbon cycle? is C. It converts carbon dioxide to carbohydrates through photosynthesis. Plants play a crucial role in the carbon cycle through the process of photosynthesis, where they use carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to produce carbohydrates (sugars).

These carbohydrates not only serve as food for the plant but also for other organisms when they consume plant material. This process effectively removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and incorporates it into the biosphere. The other options either describe a process that plants are not directly involved in or incorrectly describe the process of photosynthesis.