Question

this event chain shows some ways that carbon moves through the environment.

based on the event chain, how do animals return carbon directly into the atmosphere?

• through eating other animals
• through respiration
• through eating plants

Explanation:

Trace the path from animals to the atmosphere

We need to find how animals return carbon directly back to the atmosphere. Let's trace the arrows starting from animal-related boxes in the diagram.

• "Animals eat plants and take in carbon" has arrows pointing to "Animals and plants release carbon dioxide through respiration", "Animals and plants die and decompose", and "Animals eat other animals and take in carbon".
• "Animals eat other animals and take in carbon" has arrows pointing to "Animals and plants release carbon dioxide through respiration" and "Animals and plants die and decompose".

Identify the direct return path

Let's look at the box "Animals and plants release carbon dioxide through respiration".

• This box has a direct arrow pointing straight back to the starting box: "Carbon dioxide in atmosphere".
• Therefore, respiration is the process that directly returns carbon from animals and plants to the atmosphere.

Evaluate the given options

Let's compare this finding with the three multiple-choice options shown at the bottom of the image:

1. "through eating other animals" — This transfers carbon between animals, it does not return it to the atmosphere.
2. "through respiration" — This has a direct arrow pointing to "Carbon dioxide in atmosphere".
3. "through eating plants" — This transfers carbon from plants to animals, it does not return it to the atmosphere.

Thus, "through respiration" is the correct choice.

Answer:

• through eating other animals
• through respiration (Correct answer)
• through eating plants