Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, especially trees, convert carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen using sunlight. In the Northern Hemisphere, as spring progresses and leaves develop, the rate of photosynthesis increases, leading to a higher uptake of atmospheric carbon dioxide. This increase in photosynthetic activity contributes to lower carbon dioxide levels, typically measured in October when many leaves have fallen, resulting in a decrease in the carbon uptake. Consequently, the seasonal cycle of leaf growth in the spring and leaf loss in the autumn directly influences atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, with higher levels in late spring before leaf fall and lower levels in late autumn when photosynthesis is significantly reduced.
Climate scientists have observed seasonal changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration. In the Northern Hemisphere, they have measured the highest levels of carbon dioxide in the month of May. They have also measured the lowest levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide in the month of October. Hypothesize how photosynthesis can affect these changes. Consider the process of photosynthesis and its inputs and outputs. Explain your answer in three to five sentences. Things to keep in mind as you develop your hypothesis: In the Northern Hemisphere, leaves appear on trees in the spring and fall from trees in the autumn. Leaves are where photosynthesis occurs. How does photosynthesis effect carbon dioxide?
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