Which process in the carbon cycle is responsible for incorporating carbon dioxide into living tissue?

Which process in the carbon cycle is responsible for incorporating carbon dioxide into living tissue?

• A. Respiration
• B. Decomposition
• C. Combustion
• D. Photosynthesis

Answer: (D)

In this question, the key idea is how inorganic carbon in CO2 becomes part of living tissue. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria use light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into organic molecules like glucose. During carbon fixation, CO2 is incorporated into a stable organic framework, becoming part of the plant’s tissues and biomass. This stored carbon can then move up the food chain as organisms eat plants. Other processes release or recycle CO2 rather than incorporating it into living matter: respiration returns CO2 to the air as organisms break down organic compounds; decomposition releases CO2 as dead material is broken down; combustion releases CO2 when organic material is burned. But the one that directly incorporates CO2 into living tissue is photosynthesis.

In this question, the key idea is how inorganic carbon in CO2 becomes part of living tissue. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria use light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into organic molecules like glucose. During carbon fixation, CO2 is incorporated into a stable organic framework, becoming part of the plant’s tissues and biomass. This stored carbon can then move up the food chain as organisms eat plants.

Other processes release or recycle CO2 rather than incorporating it into living matter: respiration returns CO2 to the air as organisms break down organic compounds; decomposition releases CO2 as dead material is broken down; combustion releases CO2 when organic material is burned. But the one that directly incorporates CO2 into living tissue is photosynthesis.