What Causes the Plants and Trees to breathe in Co2 and Breathe our Oxygen?

Question

Ok well, Im doing a Science project on Global Warming: Co2 Levels and I want to know what the main component in plants that cause them to breath in Carbon Dioxide(Co2) and breathe out Oxygen.because I want to invent an air filter. Well it may not be invented invented like it willl work but just like for pretend.its like an Air filter that you put in the main component that the plants breathe in Co2 and breathe out Oxygen. Then the filter system begins and all the carbon Dioxide is sucked in by those plants and it might pass through some special tubes, then goes to other plants and trees, they also suck up the Co2 and finally release the Oxygen. So thats why I want to know what teh main component that causes the plants and trees to breathe in Co2 and breathe out Oxygen. If you still dont get it, what makes the plants and trees looks green or what gives the plants their green color? well its the Cloryphyl and Cloroplasts. Do you get me...its like, What causes it to do that. So pleasehelp

Answer 1

Plants use a process called photosynthesis to do that, but nobody has ever figured out how photosynthesis works exactly. If you can figure out how to do photosynthesis artificially, then you could get rich.

Answer 2

READ THIS IN ITS ENTIRETY I HAVE DESIGNED AN EXPERIMENT FOR YOUR SCIENCE FAIR - described below

Actually, photsynthesis is a very well understood process. I am a biochemist and I have studied this problem extensively. It is very good of you to look into this problem! Perhaps you will find out something new.

So what causes carbon dioxide to become oxygen? A small molecule called rubisco, or ribulose biphosphate. Ribulose biphoshpate actually binds to carbon dioxide in the calvin cycle. (This is a detailed drawing of the processes of the calvin cycle - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Calvin-cycle3.png)

You could make this synthetically, but the synthesis would involve working with some potentially harmful chemicals and it would generate waste products harmful to the environment.

Plants actually do a better job of the process than humans could ever do.

I do have an idea for your science project - make a bioreactor. Algae are extremely efficient in converting carbon dioxide to oxygen. You could take a small candle, and use the bioreactor to neutralize its effects.

This process is actually currently exploited by industry just look at this article:

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2006-01-10-algae-powerplants_x.htm

The algae bioreactor actually reduces carbon dioxide emissions from a coal fired power plant. The algae helps the power plant release 40 percent less carbon dioxide, and perhaps more importantly 86 percent less sulfer dioxide (a contributor to acid rain). What's more, algae like this can be used to make gasoline after absorbing carbon dioxide.

Clearly, this is the filter you were looking for.

We do have a way to make carbon dioxide into oxygen - with soda lime.

If you run carbon dioxide over soda lime, the lime will sequester carbon dioxide. However, soda lime is expensive in proportion to the small amount of carbon dioxide it would absorb.

So the bioreactor remains superior.

Here is how you can make one (and this bioreactor will even generate oil to run a small engine).

1. Get algae from a river or stream (its the green stuff floating on top). Put that in a glass cup.

2. Get a clear (transparent, see through) balloon, put some of the algae mix with some water inside the balloon and then weigh the balloon.

3. Put vinegar and baking soda into the bottom of a 2 -liter soda bottle. Let the bottle fill with carbon dioxide (let it react for a few minutes). Then, tip the bottle on its side so that it is horizontal (but not spilling any of the fizzing stuff) and stretch the neck of the balloon over the mouth of the bottle, inflating the balloon.

4. Once the balloon is inflated, put it in a warm, lighted place for a few days. This will turn the carbon dioxide into oxygen.

5. At the science fair bring your two balloons, one filled just with carbon dioxide and one that you prepared. Also bring a candle and matches.

6. When the science judge comes around, light the candle inside a deep cup. Allow the gas from the carbon dioxide filled balloon to escape into the cup. This will put out the candle.

6. Repeat this process with the balloon with algae inside. Instead of going out, the candle will burn even brighter. This is because the carbon dioxide has been converted to oxygen (so the candle is fed by the oxygen).


This project should win you the science fair. If you have any more questions add me as a contact and ask them.

Answer 3

Are u planing on something to take the food from the plants?What did the plants do to u,they are doing just what mother nature intended them to do and if u suck up all the CO2 the plants will starve. There is another recycle part that u need to understand and it goes like this. Plants take in the CO2 and give us back the O2 but keeps the C . Why it is the beginning of our fossil fuel recycling. It all starts with the plants and there taking in the CO2. and ends with good air and Fossil fuels. There are other recycle components in mother nature.

Answer 4

It's because plants are alive and a process called photosynthesis happens inside of them Sunlight provides the energy and CO2 and water and the green stuff (chlorophyll) in plants produce sugar and give off oxygen. A filter wouldn't work. The conversion is not fast enough.

Answer 5

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use sunlight to create food, taking in Co2 and producing oxygen.

Plans also take in oxygen and put out Co2 as part of their respiration process, same as animals do, but the impact of photosynthesis is greater.

Answer 6

Ashley, You would be go to gal for NASA. if you could do that we will float the ship in universe forever.

However, couple of things, yes, you can convert Oxygen from CO2. IF you can work with chlorophyl pigment, and mitocondria (Dicot cell) responsible for photosynthesis. Use Algae in your converter. Perfect Science and its theories...

Now Global warming.... You need to focus on facts outside the planet.

Do you know how much fuel we need to burn to cause warming by ourselves.

Answer 7

photosynthesis.
find a plant that absorbs carbon monoxide............ that would be a trick............