# Explain how carbon in carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere becomes part of the carbon compounds in the body of an animal.

> Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Biology (4BI1) — 4.3 Cycles within ecosystems · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Carbon dioxide is absorbed / taken in by producers / green plants during photosynthesis
2. Carbon dioxide is converted into organic / carbon-containing compounds (e.g. glucose / sugars / carbohydrates) in the plant
3. Animals eat / feed on producers (or other organisms that have eaten producers) — i.e. feeding / consumption transfers carbon compounds
4. The organic compounds from food are digested / broken down and used to build / synthesise the animal's own carbon-containing compounds / biomass

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