Question

In the carbon cycle, all animals must consume

other organisms because
A. they can not absorb enough carbon from water.
B. they cannot absorb carbon directly from the air.
C. they are in competition with plants for available
carbon.
D. they require carbon to perform photosynthesis.

Answer 1

B. they cannot absorb carbon directly from the air.

Step-by-step explanation:

Carbon cycle refers to the series of processes through which carbon is exchanged between living and non living components of the environment. During the carbon cycle, animal organisms feed on one another in order to obtain energy, a characteristics that makes them HETEROTROPHIC.

Unlike plants, animals cannot perform photosynthesis, which turns solar energy into biomass (carbon-based). Plants get their carbon source (CO2) directly from air via the stomata on their leaves. Animals, on the contrary, cannot get carbon this way, hence, they need to feed on other animals to get their carbon and energy source.