Question

Chris wrote a few steps to describe how carbon circulates between the ground and living organisms.

Step 1. Plants absorb carbon dioxide in the air through photosynthesis.
Step 2. Dead plants are broken down by decomposers.
Step 3. Carbon stays in the ground for long-term storage as fossilized carbon.

If step 1 is removed, which statement best describes the effects of this missing step on the carbon cycle?

A. More carbon is stored in plants for long-term storage.
B. Less carbon is available for long-term storage in the ground.
C. Less carbon is stored in atmosphere instead of plants.
D. There are more fossil fuels available for energy use.

Answer 1

B. Less carbon is available for long-term storage in the ground.

Step-by-step explanation:

because then the carbon stays in the ground

Answer 2

B. Less carbon is available for long-term storage in the ground.

Step-by-step explanation:

If plants do not remove carbon from the air, it stays in the air and does not end up as fossilized carbon in the ground.