a student is setting up a model to study the carbon cycle and natural sources of carbon dioxide. they create a microenvironment that contains soil, leaf debris, an earthworm, heterotrophic bacteria, and a sun lamp. what natural source of carbon dioxide and major metabolic process was left out of the model?
Natural source of carbon dioxide:
The natural source of carbon dioxide that was left out of the model is the respiration of plants. During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert it into glucose and oxygen. However, during respiration, plants release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere as a byproduct. This process occurs both during the day and at night.
Major metabolic process:
The major metabolic process that was left out of the model is cellular respiration. All living organisms, including soil microorganisms, earthworms, and bacteria, undergo cellular respiration to release energy from organic compounds and produce carbon dioxide as a waste product. Cellular respiration occurs in the mitochondria of cells and is essential for the survival and functioning of all living organisms. By excluding cellular respiration, an important component of the carbon cycle is being overlooked, as it releases carbon dioxide back into the environment.