Question
A student is developing a model of the carbon and oxygen cycles in an ecosystem. The model includes the following processes:
Plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis.
Animals take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide through cellular respiration.
Decomposers break down dead organisms, releasing carbon back into the soil and atmosphere.
Fossil fuels are burned, releasing additional carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Based on this model, which argument best explains how matter cycles while energy flows in an ecosystem?
(5 Points)
Carbon and oxygen continuously cycle through living and nonliving parts of the ecosystem, while energy flows in one direction from the Sun to organisms.
Carbon and oxygen flow in only one direction, just like energy, because they are used up by organisms.
Energy and matter both cycle endlessly in ecosystems without any loss.
Carbon and oxygen are only cycled by animals, while plants store energy permanently.
Plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis.
Animals take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide through cellular respiration.
Decomposers break down dead organisms, releasing carbon back into the soil and atmosphere.
Fossil fuels are burned, releasing additional carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Based on this model, which argument best explains how matter cycles while energy flows in an ecosystem?
(5 Points)
Carbon and oxygen continuously cycle through living and nonliving parts of the ecosystem, while energy flows in one direction from the Sun to organisms.
Carbon and oxygen flow in only one direction, just like energy, because they are used up by organisms.
Energy and matter both cycle endlessly in ecosystems without any loss.
Carbon and oxygen are only cycled by animals, while plants store energy permanently.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The best argument that explains how matter cycles while energy flows in an ecosystem is:
**"Carbon and oxygen continuously cycle through living and nonliving parts of the ecosystem, while energy flows in one direction from the Sun to organisms."**
This explanation correctly highlights the distinction between the cyclical nature of matter (like carbon and oxygen) in ecosystems and the unidirectional flow of energy, which originates from the Sun and moves through the food chain, ultimately dissipating as heat.
**"Carbon and oxygen continuously cycle through living and nonliving parts of the ecosystem, while energy flows in one direction from the Sun to organisms."**
This explanation correctly highlights the distinction between the cyclical nature of matter (like carbon and oxygen) in ecosystems and the unidirectional flow of energy, which originates from the Sun and moves through the food chain, ultimately dissipating as heat.