State whether the following statement is true or false: During respiration, plants take in $CO_2$ and release $O_2$.

(N/A) Step $1$: Respiration is a metabolic process in which organisms take in $O_2$ and release $CO_2$ to produce energy.
Step $2$: Photosynthesis is the process where plants take in $CO_2$ and release $O_2$.
Step $3$: Therefore, the statement that plants take in $CO_2$ and release $O_2$ during respiration is false.