Plants use carbon dioxide during photosynthesis to produce glucose and oxygen. During this process, plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air through small openings called stomata. They also take in sunlight via chlorophyll, the green pigment in their leaves, which plays a crucial role in converting light energy into chemical energy. This remarkable ability not only supports the growth of plants but also produces oxygen, which is essential for the survival of most life forms on Earth. Hence, carbon dioxide is vital for the photosynthetic process, making it one of the fundamental components of life on our planet.