Which statements accurately describe the roles of decomposers in the carbon cycle? Select three options.

Question

Decomposers release carbon dioxide into the air as waste.
Decomposers remove carbon dioxide from the air during photosynthesis.
Decomposers break down the remains of dead plants and animals.
Decomposers return carbon compounds to the soil.
Decomposers use carbon to make food molecules.

Answer 1

The three statements that accurately describe the roles of decomposers in the carbon cycle are:

1. Decomposers release carbon dioxide into the air as waste. - When decomposers break down organic matter, they release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as a byproduct of their metabolic processes.

2. Decomposers break down the remains of dead plants and animals. - Decomposers play a critical role in breaking down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

3. Decomposers return carbon compounds to the soil. - As decomposers break down organic material, they return essential nutrients, including carbon compounds, back into the soil, enriching it and supporting plant growth.

The other options do not accurately represent the function of decomposers in the carbon cycle.