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

Plants use photosynthesis to convert sunlight into chemical energy. This process involves the absorption of light, primarily by chlorophyll, which is found in the chloroplasts of plant cells. During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil. Using the energy from sunlight, they transform these raw materials into glucose, a type of sugar that serves as an energy source for the plant. Oxygen is released as a byproduct of this process.

Photosynthesis is crucial because it not only provides energy for the plants themselves, but it also forms the basis of the food chain for nearly all living organisms on Earth. This process is essential for life, as it creates the organic compounds needed for growth and sustenance.

The other processes listed, such as respiration, decomposition, and fermentation, serve different functions in the ecosystem. Respiration is the process by which organisms convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water. Decomposition is the breakdown of organic material, recycling nutrients back into the soil, while fermentation is an anaerobic process that converts glucose to energy without the use of oxygen. While each of these processes plays a vital role in the ecosystems, they do not involve the initial conversion of sunlight into chemical energy, which is