Yes, plants absolutely need carbon dioxide for photosynthesis.
Plants utilize carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere in the essential process of photosynthesis. According to provided information, plants "fix" carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. This means they take it in from the air. The carbon obtained from CO2 is then used for two main purposes:
- Plant growth: Carbon is a fundamental building block for creating the plant's structures (leaves, stems, roots, etc.).
- Respiration: Plants, just like animals, need energy to live. They break down sugars (produced using the carbon from CO2) to release energy through respiration.
In summary, without carbon dioxide, plants could not grow or survive.
