(In some of the exercises that follow, we must

QUESTION:

Plants convert carbon dioxide \(\mathrm{(CO_2)}\) in the atmosphere, along with water and energy from sunlight, into the energy they need for growth and reproduction. Experiments were performed under normal atmospheric air conditions and in air with enriched \(\mathrm{CO_2}\) concentrations to determine the effect on plant growth. The plants were given the same amount of water and light for a four week period. The following table gives the plant growths in grams:

Normal Air        4.67      4.21      2.18      3.91      4.09      5.24      2.94      4.71

                         4.04      5.79      3.80      4.38

Enriched Air     5.04 4.52 6.18 7.01 4.36 1.81 6.22 5.70

On the basis of these data, determine whether \(\mathrm{CO_2}\)-enriched atmosphere increases plant growth.