A diagram of the carbon cycle is shown to the left. Which of the following best explains the roles plants and
animals play in recycling carbon?

a.
Plants and animals both take in carbon through
respiration. They return it to the cycle through
decomposition.

b. Plants take in carbon through photosynthesis and
decomposition. Animals produce carbon through respiration.

C. Animals produce carbon through exhaling. Plants take in
carbon for photosynthesis.

d. Plants produce carbon through photosynthesis. Animals
take in carbon for breathing.