How carbon is cycled from the atmosphere through producers and consumers and back into the atmosphere?

Carbon is cycled through the atmosphere via photosynthesis, where producers like plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) and convert it into organic matter. When consumers, such as animals, eat these plants, they utilize the carbon for energy and growth. Through respiration, both producers and consumers release CO2 back into the atmosphere, completing the cycle. Additionally, when organisms die and decompose, carbon is released into the soil or atmosphere, further contributing to the carbon cycle.