Dead organic matter commonly decomposes in a pattern that follows a negative exponential curve.Scientists wanted to compare the decomposition rates of leaves from cherry trees and maple trees.The scientists placed bags of leaves from each type of tree into a stream and retrieved the bags overtime. The scientists repeated the experiment three times. The scientists calculated and graphed themean amount of litter remaining of each leaf type at all time points.When plants decompose, the dead plant matter first leaches substances such as salts, sugars, andamino acids. After this leaching, one compound left behind is lignin. Lignin gives leaves theirtoughness and resists decomposition.Leaf mass remaining (grams)100475+50-25-O255075Time (days)Maple Cherry100Select the statement the data support about the rate of leaf decomposition and the amount of ligninpresent in leaves.O Since the maple leaves decompose the slowest, they have a greater amount of lignin.O Since the cherry leaves decompose the slowest, they have a greater amount of lignin.Since the maple leaves decompose the fastest, they have a greater amount of lignin.Since the cherry leaves decompose the fastest, they have a greater amount of lignin.O Since cherry leave decompose more slowly they sequester carbon for longer periods of time

Decomposition is a natural process by which dead organic matter is broken down into simpler organic and inorganic molecules like sugars, salts, carbon dioxide, and water. This process is a part of the nutrient cycle and is crucial for recycling of matter in the biosphere.Lignin is a complex organic polymer that forms the key structural component of the plant cells.Lignin forms the cell wall, wood and bark.They provide rigidity to the plants and do not decompose easily.Lignin is present in all vascular plants.Lignin also provides resistance to plant pathogens.Option A is incorrect because the maple leaves decomposes faster because of lesser amount of lignin.Option C is incorrect because maple leaves decomposes faster because of lesser amount of lignin.Option D is incorrect because cherry leaves decompose slowly because they have more lignin.Option E is incorrect because sequestering of carbon does not correlate to the rate of decomposition of leaf.Conclusion: Option B is correct because it has more lignin content than maple leaf so it decomposes slowly.