What is the primary process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy?

Plants convert sunlight into chemical energy primarily through the process known as photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants use chlorophyll, a green pigment found in their leaves, to capture light energy from the sun. This energy is then utilized to convert carbon dioxide (absorbed from the atmosphere) and water (taken up from the soil) 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 occurs mainly in the chloroplasts of plant cells and consists of two stages: the light-dependent reactions and the light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle). In the light-dependent reactions, the energy from sunlight helps to split water molecules, leading to the production of oxygen and energy-carrying molecules, such as ATP and NADPH. The Calvin cycle then uses these molecules to synthesize glucose from carbon dioxide.

Understanding this process is fundamental because it underpins the entire food chain. Essentially, photosynthesis not only fuels plant growth but also provides oxygen and organic materials for other living organisms.