What do we call 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 take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water from the soil. Using sunlight as an energy source, they transform these raw materials into glucose, a type of sugar that serves as food for the plant. Oxygen is released as a byproduct of this process.

Photosynthesis primarily occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where chlorophyll captures light energy. This process is essential not only for the growth and energy needs of plants but also plays a crucial role in supporting life on Earth by producing oxygen and serving as the foundation of the food chain.

In contrast, respiration is a process that breaks down glucose to release energy, evaporation refers to the transition of water from liquid to gas, and transpiration involves the movement of water through a plant and its evaporation from aerial parts, primarily leaves. Each of these processes plays distinct roles in the plant life cycle and ecosystem.