Question

plants and animals in the ocean also cycle carbon. during photosynthesis, tiny plants called phytoplankton absorb large amounts of co₂. when an animal eats phytoplankton or another animal, carbon from these organisms becomes part of its body.
during respiration, plants and animals release co₂. when a plant or animal decomposes, carbon from its body either sinks to the ocean floor or is released into the water.
how do ocean organisms cycle carbon? select the true statements.

• plants and animals release carbon when they decompose.
• phytoplankton absorb co₂ during photosynthesis.
• animals take in carbon through food consumption.
• animals absorb co₂ during respiration.

Explanation:

1. For "Plants and animals release carbon when they decompose": The text says "When a plant or animal decomposes, carbon from its body either sinks to the ocean floor or is released into the water", so this is true.
2. For "Phytoplankton absorb CO₂ during photosynthesis": The text states "During photosynthesis, tiny plants called phytoplankton absorb large amounts of CO₂", so this is true.
3. For "Animals take in carbon through food consumption": The text says "When an animal eats phytoplankton or another animal, carbon from these organisms becomes part of its body", so this is true.
4. For "Animals absorb CO₂ during respiration": The text says "During respiration, plants and animals release CO₂", so animals release CO₂, not absorb, so this is false. But the question is to select true statements, and the first three are true (assuming the checkmarks in the image are for true ones, but we analyze based on text: the first three match the text, the last is wrong). But as per the task, we identify the true ones.

Answer:

• Plants and animals release carbon when they decompose.
• Phytoplankton absorb CO₂ during photosynthesis.
• Animals take in carbon through food consumption.