9. CO2 cycle (Masters of 'Solar Chemistry')

Plants are able to capture the sun’s energy with their green leafs. Powered by this energy, the plants use CO₂ from the air and water to build an energy-rich biochemical substance: glucose. During this process they also release oxygen for us.

Old trees and jungle mysteries

But what happens with the energy saved in the plants, for example inside its wood? Of course, if we burn the wood, the energy is released as heat. And what happens in the jungle? Old trees die, fall over, and eventually the wood disappears. So where is the energy?