Which of the following adds/add carbon dioxide to the carbon cycle on

Which of the following adds/add carbon dioxide to the carbon cycle on the planet Earth?

  • 1. Volcanic action
  • 2. Respiration
  • 3. Photosynthesis
  • 4. Decay of organic matter

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 and 3 only
2 only
1, 2 and 4 only
1, 2, 3 and 4
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2014
Volcanic action, respiration, and decay of organic matter all release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, thus adding to the carbon cycle.
Volcanic eruptions release gases, including CO2, from the Earth’s interior. Respiration is the process by which living organisms convert organic matter into energy, releasing CO2 as a byproduct. Decomposers break down dead organic matter, releasing CO2 through respiration and decomposition processes. Photosynthesis, however, is the process by which plants and other organisms use sunlight, water, and CO2 to create energy-rich organic molecules, thus *removing* CO2 from the atmosphere.
The carbon cycle is a biogeochemical cycle by which carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, pedosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere of the Earth. Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, have significantly increased the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere, leading to concerns about climate change.