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

The process by which plants convert sunlight into energy is known as photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants use chlorophyll, the green pigment found in their leaves, to capture sunlight. This light energy is then utilized to convert carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil into glucose, a type of sugar that serves as energy for the plant. Oxygen is released as a byproduct of this process. Photosynthesis is crucial for plant growth and development, as it not only provides energy for the plants themselves but also produces oxygen that is essential for the survival of many living organisms.

In contrast, respiration is a process that occurs in all living organisms, including plants, where glucose is broken down in the presence of oxygen to release energy. Fermentation is an anaerobic process used by some organisms to produce energy without oxygen and typically occurs in conditions where oxygen is scarce. Transpiration refers to the process through which water vapor is released from the leaves of plants into the atmosphere.