What type of energy conversion occurs in photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy stored in glucose. During this process, chlorophyll in the plant cells absorbs sunlight, which provides the energy needed to transform carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil into glucose and oxygen. This transformation represents the conversion of light energy into chemical energy, as the energy from sunlight is captured and stored in the bonds of the chemical compounds formed.

This process is critical for life on Earth, as it not only produces food for the plants themselves but also releases oxygen necessary for the survival of many other living organisms. The nature of photosynthesis highlights the role of light energy as the driving force behind the production of chemical energy in the form of glucose, making the correct answer a reflection of the fundamental principles of how energy transformations support life processes.