What describes the process of carbon circulating from the atmosphere into organisms and back again?

The process of carbon circulating from the atmosphere into organisms and back again is known as the carbon cycle. This cycle encompasses various stages that involve the movement of carbon through different biological and geological processes.

In the carbon cycle, carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is taken up by plants during photosynthesis, converting it into organic matter, which then becomes part of the food chain. Animals, including humans, consume these plants, thus incorporating carbon into their bodies. When organisms die or exhale carbon dioxide during respiration, the carbon is released back into the atmosphere. Additionally, decomposition of organic matter contributes further by returning carbon to the soil and atmosphere. This continuous exchange between the atmosphere, living organisms, soil, and oceans illustrates the dynamic nature of the carbon cycle.

The other cycles mentioned, such as the nitrogen and oxygen cycles, focus on different elements and their pathways through living and non-living components of the ecosystem and do not specifically address the movement of carbon.