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Which gas is described incorrectly in the passage?

(The answer choices are the capitalized words)

Gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and oxygen are constantly recycled in the atmosphere through different processes. For example, plants absorb CARBON DIOXIDE and releases OXYGEN during photosynthesis. On the other hand, plants and animals both take in oxygen and release CARBON DIOXIDE is removed from the atmosphere by the process of rock weathering.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The gas described incorrectly in the passage is carbon dioxide, as it is removed from the atmosphere through various processes, not just rock weathering. Carbon dioxide is also produced and absorbed by living organisms and human activities.

Step-by-step explanation:

The gas described incorrectly in the passage is carbon dioxide. While the passage accurately states that plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen during photosynthesis, it inaccurately suggests that carbon dioxide is solely removed from the atmosphere by the process of rock weathering. In fact, carbon dioxide is cycled through the atmosphere in various ways, such as being emitted through volcanic eruptions, being produced when organisms respire, being released during the decomposition of organic matter, and being added by human activities like burning fossil fuels. It is also absorbed by the oceans and taken up by plants during photosynthesis.

The nitrogen cycle is also mentioned, highlighting that nitrogen gas (N₂) is not directly usable by most living organisms, which is why it needs to be fixed by certain bacteria into a form that can be utilized for creating proteins and nucleic acids like DNA.

The description of these gases indicates that carbon dioxide's removal from the atmosphere involves more than just rock weathering; therefore, the statement about carbon dioxide in the passage is the one described incorrectly.

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