Question

Which of the following best defines the carbon cycle?

A) Cycling of carbon that is essential for life and climate processes
B) Cycling of carbon that involves changes between the solid, liquid, and gas phases
C) Cycling of carbon dioxide that is essential for life and climate processes
D) Cycling of carbon dioxide that involves changes between the solid, liquid, and gas phases

Answer 1

The carbon cycle is the biogeochemical cycle in which carbon moves through the biotic and abiotic components of the Earth. It involves rapid carbon exchange among living organisms and long-term cycling through geologic processes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The carbon cycle is the biogeochemical cycle in which carbon moves through the biotic and abiotic components of the Earth. It is most easily studied as two interconnected subcycles: one dealing with rapid carbon exchange among living organisms and the other dealing with the long-term cycling of carbon through geologic processes.

For example, carbon dioxide is taken up by plants through photosynthesis, and then released into the atmosphere through respiration or combustion.