Question
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION What do'sequestration and 'carbon fixation' actually mean? Carbon being added to the atmosphere by plants Carbon being taken out of the atmosphere by photosynthesis Carbon being taken out of the atmosphere by
Answer
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(228 Votes)
Lloyd
Professional · Tutor for 6 years
Answer
Carbon being taken out of the atmosphere by photosynthesis
Explanation
## Step 1: Understand the terms 'sequestration' and 'carbon fixation'Sequestration, in the context of environmental science, refers to the long-term storage of carbon dioxide or other forms of carbon to either mitigate or defer global warming and avoid dangerous climate change. Carbon fixation is a process by which photosynthetic organisms, such as plants, convert carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) into energy-rich molecules like glucose through photosynthesis.## Step 2: Evaluate the optionsNow, let's evaluate each option in the light of the definitions above.### Option 1: Carbon being added to the atmosphere by plantsThis option is incorrect. Plants, through the process of photosynthesis, actually remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, not add to it.### Option 2: Carbon being taken out of the atmosphere by photosynthesisThis option is correct. As mentioned in the definition of carbon fixation, photosynthetic organisms like plants take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and convert it into energy-rich molecules like glucose. This process is a part of the carbon sequestration process.### Option 3: Carbon being taken out of the atmosphere by respirationThis option is incorrect. Respiration, in fact, adds carbon dioxide to the atmosphere as it is a process in which organisms convert oxygen and glucose into carbon dioxide and water, releasing energy.### Option 4: Carbon being added to the atmosphere by respirationThis option is correct in terms of respiration but incorrect in terms of sequestration and carbon fixation. While respiration does add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, it is not related to the processes of carbon sequestration or carbon fixation, which involve the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.