2.3.4—Carbon flows

Photosynthesis moves CO₂ into organic carbon; respiration returns it; feeding, death, waste and decomposition move carbon among organisms and detritus.

Name both the starting store and the process. Photosynthesis is a transformation, while feeding is mainly a transfer of carbon between organisms.

Carbon in a leaf moves to a caterpillar by feeding, then returns to the atmosphere through the caterpillar’s respiration.

Respiration (and combustion), not feeding; feeding changes organismal store but does not by itself release CO₂.

Death is not decomposition: death moves carbon to detritus, while decomposers process that material.