Question

when plants take in carbon it can be released back in the atmosphere through cellular respiration, eaten by animals in the form of sugar, or
released back into the ground through decomposition
released back into the atmosphere through photosynthesis

Explanation:

Plants take in carbon through photosynthesis. Carbon can be released back to the atmosphere via cellular respiration, eaten by animals as sugar, or when plants die and decompose, carbon is released back into the ground. Photosynthesis takes in carbon - dioxide from the atmosphere, not releases it back.

Answer:

Released back into the ground through decomposition