What is the process by which plants use sunlight to synthesize foods?

Plants utilize photosynthesis to convert sunlight into chemical energy, producing food in the form of glucose and releasing oxygen as a byproduct. This process takes place primarily in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where chlorophyll captures sunlight. During photosynthesis, carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil are converted into glucose through a series of reactions powered by sunlight. This is essential for plant growth and serves as the foundation of the food chain, as plants provide energy for herbivores and, subsequently, for carnivores.

In contrast, respiration involves the breakdown of glucose to release energy for cellular activities, transpiration refers to the process of water vapor loss from plant leaves, and evaporation pertains to the conversion of liquid into vapor. Each of these processes is important in the plant life cycle but serves different functions compared to photosynthesis.