Which of the following processes removes CO2 from the atmosphere?
Answer Details
The process that removes CO2 from the atmosphere is photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria use light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into organic compounds such as glucose, releasing oxygen in the process. During photosynthesis, carbon dioxide is taken in from the atmosphere through small pores in plant leaves called stomata. Inside the chloroplasts of plant cells, the carbon dioxide is combined with water to produce glucose and oxygen.
This process of photosynthesis is critical to maintaining the balance of gases in the Earth's atmosphere. As plants and other organisms that perform photosynthesis remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, they also release oxygen, which is necessary for the survival of most living organisms. The carbon dioxide that is taken in during photosynthesis is used to build plant tissues and stored in the plant or eventually returned to the atmosphere through respiration or combustion.
Therefore, photosynthesis is the process that removes CO2 from the atmosphere and plays a vital role in maintaining the balance of gases that support life on Earth.