I would choose option C as the best model of the carbon cycle. Here's why:
1. In model 2, an animal is shown releasing carbon dioxide gas into the air through breathing. This step represents how animals are a part of the carbon cycle by contributing to the release of carbon dioxide.
2. The model illustrates plants absorbing the carbon dioxide from the air to make food through the process of photosynthesis. This shows the role of plants in capturing carbon from the atmosphere and incorporating it into their biomass.
3. Furthermore, the model includes the animal consuming a plant, indicating the transfer of carbon from plants to animals in the food chain. This consumption demonstrates how carbon moves through different organisms in the ecosystem.
4. By showcasing these key interactions between animals, plants, and carbon dioxide in the environment, model 2 effectively represents the continuous flow of carbon in the ecosystem, highlighting the interconnectedness of living organisms and their impact on the carbon cycle.