Question

Which of the following definitions correctly describes the naturally occurring carbon cycle?

The carbon cycle is a series of natural processes through which atmospheric nitrogen is converted by carbon into compounds used by plants and animals.

The carbon cycles is a series of naturally occurring processes where carbon and oxygen are exchanged between organisms and the environment.

The carbon cycle is a series of naturally occurring processes where carbon is exchanged between organisms and the environment.

The carbon cycle is a series of water transformations of water where it changes into water vapor and then converts to liquid water.

Answer 1

The correct definition of the carbon cycle describes it as a series of natural processes where carbon is exchanged between organisms and the environment, involving both a rapid exchange with living organisms through processes such as photosynthesis and respiration, and a slower exchange involving geological processes like the formation of fossil fuels.

Step-by-step explanation:

The carbon cycle is the series of processes through which carbon is exchanged between organisms and their environment. This biogeochemical cycle consists of two interconnected subcycles: a rapid exchange with living organisms and a slower, long-term cycle involving geological processes.

Carbon is a critical component in organic molecules like carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids and in the atmosphere largely as carbon dioxide (CO₂).

The rapid exchange involves processes such as photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Plants absorb CO₂ during photosynthesis to produce oxygen and organic compounds. Animals consume these compounds and release CO₂ back into the atmosphere through respiration.

The long-term cycle includes the formation and usage of fossil fuels, which have stored carbon over millions of years. Human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, contribute to releasing vast amounts of CO₂, thus impacting the carbon cycle and contributing to climate change.

Answer 2

The carbon cycle is a series of natural processes through which atmospheric nitrogen is converted by carbon into compounds used by plants and animals.

Explanation: Because animals that eat plants digest the sugar molecules to get energy for their bodies. Respiration, excretion, and decomposition release the carbon back into the atmosphere or soil, continuing the cycle.