What does the carbon cycle describe?

The carbon cycle describes the series of processes by which carbon compounds are interconverted in the environment. This includes the exchange of carbon among plants, animals, soil, rocks, and the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is absorbed by plants during photosynthesis, converted into organic matter, and then transferred through various trophic levels as herbivores and carnivores consume the plants and each other. Additionally, decomposers break down dead organisms, returning carbon to the atmosphere or soil in the form of carbon dioxide or organic compounds. This interconnectedness illustrates how carbon is continuously cycled through different forms and reservoirs, making option B the most comprehensive and accurate description of the carbon cycle.

In contrast, the other options focus on narrower aspects of carbon processes. While the breakdown of carbon-based compounds by decomposers is a part of the cycle, it doesn't encompass the full range of interactions present in the carbon cycle. The option discussing the transfer of carbon from primary producers to consumers only overlooks the role of multiple processes, including respiration and decomposition. Lastly, focusing solely on the absorption of carbon by oceans misses out on the broader context of the carbon cycle, which involves multiple pathways and reservoirs.