How does the carbon cycle work and at least 4 stages of it

Explanation:

The Carbon Cycle Step 1

Carbon enters the atmosphere as carbon dioxide from respiration (breathing)  and combustion (burning).  

The Carbon Cycle Step 2  

Carbon dioxide is absorbed by producers (life forms that make their own food e.g. plants) to make carbohydrates in photosynthesis . These producers then put off oxygen.

The Carbon Cycle Step 3

Animals feed on the plants. Thus passing the carbon compounds along the food chain. Most of the carbon these animals consume however is exhaled as carbon dioxide. This is through the process of respiration. The animals and plants then eventually die.

The Carbon Cycle Step 4

The dead organisms (dead animals and plants) are eaten by decomposers in the ground. The carbon that was in their bodies is then returned to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. In some circumstances the process of decomposition is prevented. The decomposed plants and animals may then be available as fossil fuel in the future for combustion.