Rosa drew a flow chart of the carbon cycle.

Question

Flow chart of the carbon cycle with 4 boxes connected by arrows. Box 1: carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Box 2: X. Box 3: consumers eat producers. Box 4: Y. The arrow that follows box 4 connects to box 1.
Which labels best complete the flow chart?

X: Producers undergo photosynthesis.
Y: Decomposers return carbon to the soil and release waste.
X: Decomposers return carbon to the soil and release waste.
Y: Producers undergo photosynthesis.
X: Decomposers take in carbon dioxide.
Y: Producers absorb carbon through their roots.
X: Producers absorb carbon through their roots.
Y: Decomposers take in carbon dioxide.

Answer 1

To complete the flow chart of the carbon cycle, we need to identify the processes that fit logically into the sequence.

1. Box 1: Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
2. Arrow: This arrow likely leads to Box 2, which involves X.
3. Box 2 (X): This box should describe how carbon dioxide is utilized by producers. The most appropriate label here is "Producers undergo photosynthesis," as this is how plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
4. Box 3: Consumers eat producers. This step represents the transfer of carbon through the food chain.
5. Arrow: This arrow leads to Box 4, which involves Y.
6. Box 4 (Y): This box should describe how decomposers handle carbon after consumers die or waste is produced. The appropriate label here is "Decomposers return carbon to the soil and release waste," as this describes the process of decomposition.

Therefore, the best labels to complete the flow chart are:

X: Producers undergo photosynthesis.
Y: Decomposers return carbon to the soil and release waste.