Question

What is the cause of regular carbon dioxide fluctuations in the atmosphere? A. photosynthesis only occurs during the day, whereas cellular respiration is continuous. B. volcanic activity removes excess atmospheric carbon dioxide. C. carbon dioxide emissions increase with colder temperatures. D. deciduous trees in the northern hemisphere lose their leaves in autumn. E. as reef-building corals die off, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere.

Answer 1

The cause of regular CO2 fluctuations in the atmosphere is because photosynthesis occurs during the day and ceases at night while cellular respiration occurs continuously, leading to a cycle of rising and falling CO2.

Step-by-step explanation:

The regular fluctuations of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere are primarily caused by the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Photosynthesis is a process that occurs during the daytime when there is sunlight, as plants convert CO2 into organic compounds. At night, photosynthesis ceases because of the lack of sunlight, but cellular respiration continues in living organisms, including plants, which release CO2 continuously. This leads to a cyclical pattern of CO2 concentration in the atmosphere, which generally increases during the night and decreases during the day due to these biological activities.

The correct answer to the question posed would be A. 'Photosynthesis only occurs during the day, whereas cellular respiration is continuous.'

Answer 2

Regular carbon dioxide fluctuations in the atmosphere have multiple causes, including natural processes such as cellular respiration and photosynthesis, as well as human activities like burning fossil fuels.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is A. photosynthesis only occurs during the day, whereas cellular respiration is continuous.

Here's why the other options are incorrect:

B. Volcanic activity removes excess atmospheric carbon dioxide: Volcanic activity does emit carbon dioxide, but it's a relatively minor and infrequent contributor to regular fluctuations.

C. carbon dioxide emissions increase with colder temperatures: This is not generally true. While some specific processes, like burning wood for heating, might see a slight increase in colder weather, it doesn't explain the regular, predictable fluctuations observed in the atmosphere.

D. deciduous trees in the northern hemisphere lose their leaves in autumn: This contributes to the seasonal cycle of CO2, but the fluctuations observed are not solely due to this phenomenon.

E. as reef-building corals die off, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere: Coral death can contribute to CO2 increases, but it's not a major driver of the regular fluctuations.

Therefore, the main factor influencing the regular fluctuations observed in atmospheric CO2 is the imbalance between photosynthesis and cellular respiration throughout the day and seasons. During the day, plants absorb CO2 through photosynthesis, leading to a decrease in atmospheric levels.

At night, plants and other organisms release CO2 through respiration, causing the levels to rise again. This cycle creates the regular "sawtooth" pattern of CO2 fluctuations seen in the atmosphere.