Is all of Earth’s carbon dioxide supply constantly being used by organisms?(1 point)
A) Yes, and it briefly passes through the atmosphere as it cycles between organisms.
B) No, some is stored in Earth’s only carbon sink, the atmosphere.
C) No, some is stored in Earth’s carbon sinks, such as the oceans.
D) Yes, and it is used up as soon as it is formed.
C) No, some is stored in Earth’s carbon sinks, such as the oceans.
C) No, some is stored in Earth’s carbon sinks, such as the oceans.
The correct answer is C) No, some is stored in Earth’s carbon sinks, such as the oceans.
To arrive at this answer, let's understand the carbon cycle and the role of carbon sinks. The carbon cycle refers to the movement of carbon atoms between different reservoirs on Earth, including the atmosphere, land, oceans, and organisms.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is present in the Earth's atmosphere and is taken up by photosynthetic organisms, such as plants, during the process of photosynthesis. These organisms convert carbon dioxide into organic compounds, releasing oxygen as a byproduct. This organic carbon then becomes part of the organisms' tissues.
While some carbon is used by organisms for energy and growth, not all of Earth's carbon dioxide supply is constantly being used. A significant portion of it is stored in Earth's carbon sinks. Carbon sinks are reservoirs or areas that absorb and store more carbon than they release. Examples of carbon sinks include oceans, forests, and underground geological formations.
The oceans, for instance, play a vital role in the carbon cycle as they absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This absorbed carbon is utilized by marine organisms such as phytoplankton and algae during photosynthesis. Additionally, some of this carbon can be stored in the deep ocean for long periods of time.
Therefore, option C) is the correct answer as it recognizes that Earth's carbon dioxide supply is not constantly being used by organisms, and some of it is stored in carbon sinks like the oceans.