In the carbon cycle, carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere primarily by which process?

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Multiple Choice

In the carbon cycle, carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere primarily by which process?

Explanation:
Photosynthesis pulls carbon dioxide out of the air by using light energy to convert CO2 and water into organic sugars in plants and algae. This locks carbon into plant biomass and soil, acting as a major removal (or sink) of atmospheric CO2 in the carbon cycle. The other processes add CO2 back to the atmosphere: respiration releases CO2 when organisms metabolize sugars, combustion of fossil fuels releases stored carbon as CO2, and decomposition returns carbon to the air as CO2 (and methane) as organisms break down. So the primary way atmospheric CO2 is removed is through photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis pulls carbon dioxide out of the air by using light energy to convert CO2 and water into organic sugars in plants and algae. This locks carbon into plant biomass and soil, acting as a major removal (or sink) of atmospheric CO2 in the carbon cycle. The other processes add CO2 back to the atmosphere: respiration releases CO2 when organisms metabolize sugars, combustion of fossil fuels releases stored carbon as CO2, and decomposition returns carbon to the air as CO2 (and methane) as organisms break down. So the primary way atmospheric CO2 is removed is through photosynthesis.

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