Answer:
The role of each of the following in the carbon cycle with example is discussed as:
a. Primary Producer:
Primary producers are those ones who take inorganic molecules like carbon dioxide and convert them into organic molecules like carbohydrates. For example: Plants, autotrophs.
b. Secondary Producer:
Secondary producers are mainly herbivores like elephants, provides food for carnivores, consumes primary producer and they release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
c. Decomposers:
Decomposer are those ones who break down the dead materials of plants or animals and release energy back to the nonliving environment like soil, water, air etc. The example include earthworms.
Answer and Explanation:
a. Primary producers
Primary producers are organisms that are able to produce their own food, also known as autotrophs. The best example to illustrate this group are plants. They have a major role in the carbon cycle as they transform inorganic molecules from the atmosphere, such as CO2, into organic molecules like carbohydrates.
b. Secondary producers
Secondary producers are organisms that feed on primary producers, that is, they are heterotrophs (and herbivores), which are then consumed by predators. For example, caterpillars or rabbits. When these organisms respirate, they exhale carbon dioxide, which is used by primary producers in the carbon cycle.
c. Decomposers
Decomposers are organisms that consume and break down organic matter such as dead animals, feces, and leaves. For example, fungi and bacteria. Through this process, they release CO2 and methane into the atmosphere, making carbon dioxide available for plants to carry out photosynthesis.
