Important Functions of CO₂

    Although carbon dioxide has many useful, everyday purposes, it also has many uses which are essential to our existence. Some of the more trivial functions of carbon dioxide are:

• A refrigerant (version of dry ice) 

  ---

• Component of fire extinguishers (version of dry ice) 

  ---

• For inflating life rafts and life jackets        

  ---

• Blasting coal                                                  

  ---

• Used in foaming rubber and plastics

  ---

• Promoting the growth of plants in greenhouses     

  ---

•  Immobilizing animals before slaughter       

  ---

• In carbonated beverages                             

  ---

 Carbon dioxide is what makes the soda fizzy and bubbly. It is the bubbles that come floating to the top of the drink. Carbon dioxide works to immobilize animals before slaughter because given in a gas form, unlike carbon monoxide where it instantly kills, carbon dioxide makes the animals dazed because they are not given enough oxygen to the brain to keep thinking straight. 

    All of these things listed above help to make our lives easier and more comfortable, but what makes carbon dioxide so pivotal to our existence is its involvement in the key processes of photosynthesis, fermentation, and the respiration of all living animals. 

    Contrarily, too much CO₂ can kill. In fact, Earth is starting to have major problems with having too much CO₂ in the atmosphere. This problem has been named The Greenhouse Effect. When too much Carbon dioxide is taken into the body, not enough pure oxygen is taken in through the lungs and that leads to asphyxiation.