They die with the animal or plant. They evaporate into the atmosphere. They are recycled back into the environment. They change into different elements.
I gave my students this multiple choice question: Animals and plants are made up of a number of different chemical elements. What happens to all of these elements when animals and plants die?

Only one answer is correct among these 4 choices:
- They die with the animal or plant.
- They evaporate into the atmosphere.
- They are recycled back into the environment.
- They change into different elements.

Could you tell me which one is correct?

They are recycled back into the environment.