Final answer:
The oxygen cycle and the carbon cycle are interconnected through the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration, where the production of oxygen and consumption of carbon dioxide by photosynthesis is complemented by the consumption of oxygen and production of carbon dioxide in cellular respiration.
Step-by-step explanation:
The relationship between the oxygen cycle and the carbon cycle is highly interconnected primarily because photosynthesis and cellular respiration are important processes in each cycle. During photosynthesis, plants consume carbon dioxide and produce oxygen as a by-product. This process plays a critical role in the carbon cycle by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Conversely, in cellular respiration, organisms use oxygen to metabolize carbohydrates—for example, glucose—and produce carbon dioxide and water. This shows that the correct answer to the question is (a) Both cycles involve respiration. In fact, these processes can be seen as a cycle where one uses the output of the other as its input, thereby linking the two.
The exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen during photosynthesis and cellular respiration helps to maintain atmospheric levels of these gases. In the larger view, aerobic respiration and photosynthesis are complementary processes within the carbon cycle that ensure the continuous flow of carbon through the biosphere.