The process of converting inorganic carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into organic carbon compounds that can be used by living organisms. This is primarily accomplished through photosynthesis by plants, algae, and some bacteria.
From 'carbon' referring to the element, and 'fixation' from Latin 'fixus' meaning to fasten or make stable. The term emerged in the early 20th century as scientists understood how atmospheric CO2 becomes incorporated into biological molecules.
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