Given below are two statements regarding carbon and phosphorus cycles. Statement (I): Atmospheric inputs of phosphorus through rainfall are much smaller than carbon inputs. Statement (II): Exchange of phosphorus between organisms and the environment is huge as compared to carbon. In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.

Step-by-step solution

According to the NCERT Biology textbook, there are two major differences between the carbon and phosphorus cycles. Firstly, atmospheric inputs of phosphorus through rainfall are much smaller than carbon inputs. Thus, Statement (I) is correct. Secondly, gaseous exchanges of phosphorus between organisms and the environment are negligible, whereas carbon exchange is significant. Thus, Statement (II) is incorrect. Therefore, Statement (I) is correct but Statement (II) is incorrect. Answer: Statement (I) is correct but