Final answer:
Animals consume carbon and water, storing it in their bodies and releasing some back into the environment through respiration, contributing to both the carbon and water cycles. Therefore correct option is A
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that best describes the role of animals in the water and carbon cycles is that animals consume carbon and water and store it in their bodies until some is released through respiration. Animals play a crucial role in these cycles. During the carbon cycle, animals contribute to the atmospheric carbon dioxide levels through the carbon dioxide they exhale during cellular respiration. Similarly, they participate in the water cycle through processes like excretion and respiration, which release water back into the environment. Photosynthesis, on the other hand, is performed by autotrophs such as plants, which utilize carbon dioxide and water to create organic compounds and release oxygen.