In the carbon cycle, microbes convert _____.
a. CO₂ into organic material for consumption
b. CO₂ into inorganic material for storage
c. fossil fuels into usable organic compounds
d. oxygen into water as a by-product of photosynthesis

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the role of microbes in the carbon cycle, which involves the transformation of carbon between different forms in the environment.
2. Recall that certain microbes, such as autotrophic bacteria and cyanobacteria, can fix carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and convert it into organic compounds through processes like photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.
3. Recognize that option (a) states microbes convert CO2 into organic material for consumption, which aligns with the process of carbon fixation where inorganic CO2 is turned into organic molecules.
4. Eliminate options that do not correctly describe microbial activity in the carbon cycle: (b) is incorrect because CO2 is inorganic, and microbes convert it into organic, not inorganic, material; (c) is incorrect because microbes do not convert fossil fuels directly; (d) is incorrect because oxygen is not converted into water by microbes in photosynthesis.
5. Conclude that the correct understanding is that microbes convert CO2 into organic material, which is then used by other organisms in the ecosystem.

Key Concepts

Microbial Role in the Carbon Cycle

Microbes play a crucial role in the carbon cycle by converting carbon dioxide (CO2) into organic compounds through processes like photosynthesis and chemosynthesis. This conversion supports the food web by producing organic material that other organisms consume.

Photosynthesis and Carbon Fixation

Photosynthesis is the process by which certain microbes, such as cyanobacteria, use CO2 and sunlight to produce organic molecules and oxygen. Carbon fixation refers to the incorporation of inorganic CO2 into organic molecules, forming the basis of biomass.

Distinction Between Organic and Inorganic Carbon

Organic carbon compounds contain carbon bonded to hydrogen and are used as energy sources by living organisms. Inorganic carbon, like CO2, is a simple molecule that microbes convert into organic forms during carbon fixation, enabling energy flow in ecosystems.