AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Plants and forests remove and store away huge amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year. But the problem is, there’s only so much carbon dioxide they can absorb and this amount is getting less, as more and more forests are cut down across the world, largely to produce our food.

Detailed explanation-2: -Plants, like animals, take in oxygen and give out carbon dioxide during respiration. Only during photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen as a byproduct.

Detailed explanation-3: -Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air, combine it with water and light, and make carbohydrates-the process known as photosynthesis. It is well established that as CO2 in the atmosphere increases, the rate of photosynthesis increases.

Detailed explanation-4: -Plants play a key role in mitigating climate change. The more carbon dioxide they absorb during photosynthesis, the less carbon dioxide remains trapped in the atmosphere where it can cause temperatures to rise.

Detailed explanation-5: -According to the Arbor Day Foundation, in one year a mature tree will absorb more than 48 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen in exchange.