Question

What would happen to the carbon cycle if decomposers didn't break down dead organisms or waste ?

Answer 1

Please do not copy-paste my answer.

Think about conservation of matter - matter cannot be created or destroyed. The amount of carbon on the planet is basically fixed. So if something dies, there has to be some way for the carbon to be released from the animal's body. That's where decomposers come in - they break down dead organisms and release byproducts like CO2 which can go back into the atmosphere and continue the cycle.