How do trees capture carbon dioxide?

Trees play a vital role in capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) primarily through the process of photosynthesis, where they convert CO2 into organic matter. The correct answer revolves around the concept of carbon sequestration, which refers to trees' ability to absorb and store CO2 from the atmosphere.

During photosynthesis, trees take in CO2 and, using sunlight, transform it into glucose (a form of energy) and other organic compounds, which contribute to the tree's growth. This process also produces oxygen, but the essential aspect regarding carbon capture is how trees store the carbon. The carbon from CO2 is incorporated into the tree's biomass, primarily in its wood, leaves, and roots.

Hence, by sequestering carbon in wood, trees effectively contribute to reducing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This stored carbon can remain in the tree for many years, and even when the tree dies, parts of it can continue to store carbon for extended periods in dead wood and in the soil when they decompose.

The options related to photosynthesis alone, oxygen release, and root absorption highlight aspects of how trees interact with CO2 and their environment, but they do not encapsulate the critical function of carbon storage in wood, which is the