Question

Think about a carbon atom that is released into the atmosphere from burning wood in a campfire. If it were to go through the whole carbon cycle, number the steps that would follow.
1.Step 1
A tree absorbs the carbon from the atmosphere into its leaves for photosynthesis.
2. Step 2
The bird flies into a building and dies instantly. It falls to the ground.
3. Step 3
The bird decomposes and the carbon returns to the atmosphere.
4. Step 4
A caterpillar gets the carbon by eating the tree's leaves.
5. Step 5
A bird gets the carbon by eating the caterpillar.

Answer 1

The correct order would be:

1. A tree absorbs the carbon from the atmosphere into its leaves for photosynthesis;

2. A caterpillar gets the carbon by eating the tree's leaves.

3. A bird gets the carbon by eating the caterpillar.

4. The bird flies into a building and dies instantly. It falls to the ground.

5. The bird decomposes and the carbon returns to the atmosphere.

The carbon cycle is very similar to the water cycle, though it has its own unique ways. Once the carbon is released into the atmosphere, it will either be absorbed by the vegetation, or go up into the higher parts of the atmosphere. If it is absorbed by the vegetation, the organisms that eat the vegetation will get it in them. When the predators eat those organism they get the carbon into their organisms. When the predators die, they start to decompose. When they decompose, the carbon is released from them and it returns to the atmosphere, and the whole process goes all over again.