What process do plants use to convert light energy into chemical energy?

Plants utilize photosynthesis to convert light energy into chemical energy. This process primarily occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where chlorophyll, the green pigment, plays a key role in capturing sunlight. During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water from the soil. The light energy absorbed is then used to convert these raw materials into glucose, a type of sugar that serves as a fundamental energy source for the plant. Oxygen is released as a byproduct of this reaction.

Photosynthesis is crucial not only for the sustenance of plants but also for life on Earth, as it is the foundation of most food chains and a primary source of atmospheric oxygen. This process contrasts with respiration, which is the way both plants and animals convert glucose into energy, but it does not directly involve light energy conversion. Digestion refers to the breakdown of food into smaller molecules for absorption, which is not relevant to the energy conversion process in plants. Transpiration involves the movement of water from plant roots to the atmosphere, primarily through leaves, rather than converting light energy into chemical energy.