How do fossil fuels play a role in the carbon cycle?(1 point)

Responses

Fossil fuels are rich in carbon, and burning them releases carbon into the atmosphere. 
Fossil fuels are rich in carbon, and burning them releases carbon into the atmosphere. 

Fossil fuels require a lot of carbon to burn, which takes carbon out of the atmosphere. 
Fossil fuels require a lot of carbon to burn, which takes carbon out of the atmosphere. 

Fossil fuels require a lot of carbon to burn, which releases carbon into the atmosphere. 
Fossil fuels require a lot of carbon to burn, which releases carbon into the atmosphere

Fossil fuels are rich in carbon, and burning them returns carbon to the soil. 

9 answers

The correct response is:

Fossil fuels are rich in carbon, and burning them releases carbon into the atmosphere.

This statement accurately describes how the burning of fossil fuels contributes to the carbon cycle by adding carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, which can then influence climate change and other ecological processes.

Can you use letters instead (A, B, C, D)

Certainly! The correct response is:

A: Fossil fuels are rich in carbon, and burning them releases carbon into the atmosphere.

How is the majority of carbon transferred from plants and animals to the soil? (1 point)
Responses

The decay of dead organisms releases carbon dioxide from their bodies into the soil.
The decay of dead organisms releases carbon dioxide from their bodies into the soil.

Carbon atoms from plant and animal waste dissolve into the soil. 
Carbon atoms from plant and animal waste dissolve into the soil. 

Carbon dioxide from plant and animal respiration dissolves into the soil. 
Carbon dioxide from plant and animal respiration dissolves into the soil. 

The decay of dead organisms releases some carbon atoms from their bodies into the soil. 

The correct response is:

A: The decay of dead organisms releases carbon dioxide from their bodies into the soil.

This process includes the breakdown of organic matter by decomposers, releasing carbon in the form of carbon dioxide and contributing to soil organic matter.

Is all of Earth’s carbon dioxide supply constantly being used by organisms?(1 point)
Responses

Yes, and it briefly passes through the atmosphere as it cycles between organisms.
Yes, and it briefly passes through the atmosphere as it cycles between organisms.

Yes, and it is used up as soon as it is formed.
Yes, and it is used up as soon as it is formed.

No, some is stored in Earth’s only carbon sink, the atmosphere.  
No, some is stored in Earth’s only carbon sink, the atmosphere.  

No, some is stored in Earth’s carbon sinks, such as the oceans.  

The correct response is:

D: No, some is stored in Earth’s carbon sinks, such as the oceans.

This statement accurately reflects that while carbon dioxide is utilized by organisms, a portion of it is also stored in various carbon sinks, including the oceans, forests, and soil.

Which of these is the largest living carbon sink?(1 point)
Responses

ocean
ocean

insects
insects

soil
soil

forests

The correct response is:

A: ocean

The ocean is considered the largest living carbon sink, as it absorbs a significant amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stores it in various forms, including within marine organisms and dissolved in seawater.