Which gas do plants primarily use in photosynthesis?

Plants primarily use carbon dioxide in the process of photosynthesis, which is crucial for converting light energy into chemical energy. During this process, plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through tiny openings in their leaves called stomata.

In the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll, the light energy is utilized to transform carbon dioxide and water into glucose (a form of sugar that serves as food for the plant) and oxygen, which is released as a byproduct. This transformative process is vital not only for plant growth but also contributes significantly to the global oxygen supply and the carbon cycle, which regulates atmospheric conditions.

Understanding the role of carbon dioxide in photosynthesis highlights its importance to both plant life and the overall ecosystem, as it serves as a key reactant that drives one of life's fundamental processes.