Routinely, in nature, during a 24-hour period in nature, what substance do green plants continuously require and use?

Question

a
oxygen
b
both carbon dioxide and nitrogen
c
carbon dioxide, only
d
both carbon dioxide and oxygen

Answer 1

The correct answer is c) carbon dioxide, only.

During the day, green plants use carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for photosynthesis, a process in which they convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen. While plants do release oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis, they continuously require carbon dioxide for the process to occur.

At night, plants switch to respiration, where they consume oxygen and produce carbon dioxide, but during a 24-hour period focused on photosynthesis, they primarily require carbon dioxide.