What is the process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy?

The process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy is called photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil. Using sunlight captured by chlorophyll, the green pigment in leaves, plants convert these raw materials into glucose and oxygen. The glucose serves as a source of energy for the plant, while the oxygen is released as a byproduct into the atmosphere, which is beneficial for living organisms.

This process is fundamental for life on Earth as it forms the base of the food chain and is crucial for producing the oxygen that many organisms need for respiration. The efficiency of photosynthesis is vital for agriculture and ecology, making it a central topic in the study of food science and environmental biology.

In contrast, respiration is the process through which plants (and animals) convert glucose and oxygen into energy, transpiration refers to the movement of water within a plant and its evaporation from aerial parts, and fermentation is an anaerobic process that converts sugars to acids, gases, or alcohol, but does not involve sunlight.