How did the carbon atom get from land animals back to the atmosphere? * 1 point It is released as a product of cellular respiration where animals break down glucose to produce energy. It is absorbed as a reactant along with water and sunlight in photosynthesis in order to form glucose. It is released as a product of photosynthesis where animals break down glucose to produce energy. It is absorbed as a reactant along with water and sunlight in cellular respiration in order to form glucose.