CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) is a colorless, odorless gas composed of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms. It is a naturally occurring substance in the Earth’s atmosphere and is mandatory for life to exist on Earth.
CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) is necessary for life on Earth because it is an essential component of photosynthesis, the process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy in the form of organic compounds such as glucose. In photosynthesis, CO2 is taken in by the plant and combined with water to produce glucose and oxygen, through a process known as the Calvin cycle.
The oxygen produced by photosynthesis is released into the atmosphere, where it is crucial for the survival of animals and humans who breathe it in to power their metabolism. Meanwhile, the glucose produced by photosynthesis is used by plants as a source of energy and as the building block for more complex organic compounds like cellulose, which provides structure to plant cells.
In this way, CO2 is a crucial component in the food chain, as it supports the growth of plants which provide food and oxygen for all other living beings on Earth. This makes CO2 necessary for life on our planet, as it helps sustain the natural balance of the ecosystem.