Describe the cycling of carbon in the carbon cycle as it passes through the living and non-living components of the ecosystem is a short paragraph as if written by a high schooler.

Answer 1

In the carbon cycle, carbon moves through living and non-living components of the ecosystem. Carbon is taken up by plants during photosynthesis and used to make sugars and other organic compounds. Animals then eat the plants, incorporating carbon into their bodies. When organisms die, their bodies decompose and release carbon back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. Some carbon is also stored in the soil, where it can remain for long periods of time. Ultimately, this continuous cycle of carbon through the ecosystem helps maintain a balance of carbon in the atmosphere and supports life on Earth.