Final answer:
The carbon cycle includes the exchange of carbon between living organisms and the slower geologic processes. Carbon moves from the biosphere to the atmosphere through respiration, decomposition, and burning of fossil fuels. Human activities can impact the balance of this cycle, particularly with the burning of fossil fuels.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question focuses on the carbon cycle and, specifically, how carbon moves from the biosphere to the atmosphere. Arrows indicating the movement of carbon from the biosphere to the atmosphere in diagrams of the carbon cycle would typically point towards processes like respiration in animals and plants, decomposition of organic matter, and the burning of fossil fuels. The carbon cycle includes the rapid exchange of carbon amongst living organisms and the slower geological cycling. Living organisms cannot produce their own carbon; they depend on recycling carbon through processes like photosynthesis and respiration. Human actions, such as burning fossil fuels, can alter the carbon cycle by adding more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, which is not immediately balanced by natural absorption processes. Abiotic processes that slowly cycle carbon include the weathering of rocks and sedimentation.