The scientific term for the process by which plants bring in carbon dioxide is photosynthesis. During this process, plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through tiny openings called stomata. This gas, along with water absorbed by the roots, is then converted into glucose and oxygen using sunlight as energy. Photosynthesis is critical for life on Earth, as it not only produces food for the plants but also releases oxygen, which is essential for the survival of most living organisms.