(Another question sorry!)
Which of the following is true of carbon?
A. Carbon is present in all organisms and in the atmosphere.**
B. Carbon moves from consumers to producers.
C. Carbon must be fixed by bacteria before other organisms can use it.
D. Carbon can only be released from dead organisms by decomposers.
looks good
The correct answer is A. Carbon is present in all organisms and in the atmosphere.
To determine which of the following statements about carbon is true, let's examine each option:
A. Carbon is present in all organisms and in the atmosphere.
To verify if this statement is true, we can recall some basic knowledge about carbon. Carbon is an essential element for life, and it is a fundamental building block of organic compounds found in all living organisms. Additionally, carbon dioxide (CO2) is a compound in the atmosphere that contains carbon. Therefore, this statement is true.
B. Carbon moves from consumers to producers.
This statement is incorrect. In a typical ecosystem, carbon moves in a cyclical manner. Producers, such as plants, take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis and convert it into organic compounds. Consumers, including animals, obtain carbon by consuming producers or other consumers. The carbon eventually returns to the atmosphere through respiration or decomposition.
C. Carbon must be fixed by bacteria before other organisms can use it.
To determine the accuracy of this statement, let's evaluate the concept of carbon fixation. Carbon fixation refers to the process by which carbon dioxide is converted into organic compounds, primarily performed by autotrophic organisms like plants, algae, and some bacteria. While some bacteria can indeed fix carbon, it is not necessary for all organisms. Many other organisms, including heterotrophs (organisms that obtain energy from consuming other organisms), can use carbon in the organic compounds produced by autotrophs.
D. Carbon can only be released from dead organisms by decomposers.
This statement is partially true. When organisms die, decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi, break down their organic matter through the process of decomposition. During this process, carbon is released back into the environment in the form of carbon dioxide or other carbon compounds. However, carbon can also be released from dead organisms through other natural processes such as combustion (burning).
In conclusion, the accurate statement about carbon is option A: Carbon is present in all organisms and in the atmosphere.