Question

matter and energy in ecosystems study guide

1. these goats are eating grass on a sunny day. what is happening to the carbon in the air around the living things on the mountain? is carbon moving into the air, moving out of the air, or both?

a. carbon is only moving into the air; it is not moving out of the air.
b. carbon is moving into the air and out of the air at the same time.
c. carbon is not moving into the air; it is only moving out of the air.
d. with this information, there is no way to know for sure.

Explanation:

Plants (grass) take in carbon dioxide (\(CO_2\)) from the air during photosynthesis (carbon moving out of the air). Goats (and other living organisms) respire, releasing \(CO_2\) back into the air (carbon moving into the air). So carbon is moving into and out of the air simultaneously.

Answer:

b. Carbon is moving into the air and out of the air at the same time.