Question

Consumers, or heterotrophs, take in food made by other organisms. Then they break apart the food to release its energy. How do these actions of consumers contribute to the carbon cycle?

A. Eating and breaking apart food converts carbon to other elements.
B. Eating and breaking apart food converts other elements into carbon.
C. Eating food involves taking up carbon dioxide.
D. Eating and breaking apart food releases carbon dioxide as a byproduct.

Answer 1

D. Eating and breaking apart food releases carbon dioxide as a byproduct.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the chloroplasts of plants, photosynthesis occurs. Here in the form of stable carbohydrates, solar energy is transformed into chemical energy.

The fundamental compounds and macromolecules available are nutrients for a variety of metabolic processes. In heterotrophic nutrition, animals get energy by consuming organic matter such as lipids, fats and proteins.

For all metabolic processes, animals use carbohydrates as food. This occurs in the mitochondria...

C6H12O6+ 6 O2 → 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + ≅38 ATP

Glucose + Oxygen Carbon Dioxide + Water + Light