Which process describes the conversion of light energy into chemical energy in plants?

The correct answer, which is photosynthesis, refers to the process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy stored in glucose molecules. During photosynthesis, carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil are absorbed by the plant. In the presence of sunlight, specifically through chlorophyll in the chloroplasts, these raw materials engage in a series of biochemical reactions.

The overall equation for photosynthesis can be summarized as:

6 CO₂ + 6 H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6 O₂

This equation illustrates that carbon dioxide and water, when combined with light energy, produce glucose (a carbohydrate) and oxygen, which is released as a byproduct. This process is fundamental not only for the survival of the plants themselves but also for the entire ecosystem, as it produces the oxygen necessary for many organisms' respiration and forms the base of the food chain.

The other processes mentioned do not involve the conversion of light energy into chemical energy. Cellular respiration is a process that breaks down glucose to release energy for cellular activities. Fermentation is an anaerobic process that allows organisms to convert sugars into energy without oxygen, typically yielding less