Which process converts light energy into chemical energy in plants?

Photosynthesis is the process that enables plants to convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy in the form of glucose. During this process, plants utilize chlorophyll, the green pigment found in their leaves, to absorb light energy. This energy is then used to drive the conversion of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water from the soil into glucose, which serves as a vital source of energy for the plant. Additionally, photosynthesis produces oxygen as a byproduct, which is released into the atmosphere.

This process is fundamental for sustaining life on Earth, as it forms the base of the food chain; plants are primary producers, and the energy they store is subsequently used by herbivores and higher trophic levels. It is distinctly different from cellular respiration, which releases energy from glucose, fermentation, which occurs in the absence of oxygen for energy extraction, and transpiration, which refers to the movement of water vapor from plants to the atmosphere. Understanding photosynthesis is critical, as it illustrates how energy flows through ecosystems, emphasizing the importance of plants in ecological balance and energy cycles.