How do producers use carbon dioxide?

Producers, primarily plants and some microorganisms, use carbon dioxide (CO2) during the process of photosynthesis. They absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and, using sunlight as energy, convert it into glucose and oxygen. This glucose serves as a vital energy source for the producers themselves and forms the foundation of the food chain for other organisms. Additionally, oxygen released during photosynthesis is essential for the respiration of most living organisms.