Question

Trey wrote a few steps to describe how carbon circulates between the atmosphere and living organisms. Step 1. Carbon enters the atmosphere as carbon dioxide from respiration and the burning of fossil fuels. Step 2. Plants absorb carbon dioxide in the air and use it to make their own food using photosynthesis. Step 3. Plant-eating animals consume the carbon stored in plants. If step 2 is removed, which statement best describes the effects of this missing step on the carbon cycle?

Answer 1

The missing Step 2 in the carbon cycle would result in higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, a decrease in food availability for plant-eating animals, and a disruption in the flow of carbon through the ecosystem.

Step-by-step explanation:

The missing Step 2 in the carbon cycle, which describes how plants absorb carbon dioxide in the air and use it to make their own food through photosynthesis, would have several effects on the carbon cycle. Firstly, without Step 2, there would be a decrease in the amount of carbon dioxide being removed from the atmosphere, resulting in higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

This would contribute to global warming and climate change. Secondly, the plant-eating animals mentioned in Step 3 would have less available food, as the carbon stored in plants would not be replenished.

This could lead to a decrease in populations of these animals. Lastly, without Step 2, there would be a reduction in the amount of organic carbon compounds being produced by plants, which would affect the flow of carbon through the ecosystem.