Think about a carbon atom that is released into the atmosphere from the burning of wood in a campfire. If it were to go through the whole carbon cycle, number the steps that would follow.

Question

1. Step 1
A caterpillar gets the carbon by eating the tree's leaves.
2. Step 2
The bird decomposes and the carbon is added to the atmosphere.
3. Step 3
The bird flies into a building and dies instantly. It falls to the ground.
4. Step 4
A tree absorbs the carbon from the atmosphere into its leaves for photosynthesis.
5. Step 5
A bird gets the carbon by eating the caterpillar.

Answer 1

The correct order of the steps in the carbon cycle as described in your scenario would be:

1. Step 1: A caterpillar gets the carbon by eating the tree's leaves.
2. Step 5: A bird gets the carbon by eating the caterpillar.
3. Step 3: The bird flies into a building and dies instantly. It falls to the ground.
4. Step 2: The bird decomposes, and the carbon is added to the atmosphere.
5. Step 4: A tree absorbs the carbon from the atmosphere into its leaves for photosynthesis.

This sequence illustrates how carbon moves through various organisms and the atmosphere, ultimately returning to a tree for photosynthesis.