What process in plants involves converting light energy into chemical energy?

Photosynthesis is the process that allows plants to convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy stored in glucose molecules. This complex process primarily takes place in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where chlorophyll captures sunlight.

During photosynthesis, carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water absorbed from the soil are transformed into glucose and oxygen through a series of reactions known as the light-dependent and light-independent (Calvin cycle) reactions. The overall equation for photosynthesis can be summarized as:

6 CO₂ + 6 H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ (glucose) + 6 O₂.

This conversion is crucial for life on Earth, as it not only provides energy for the plants themselves but also produces oxygen, which is essential for the survival of most organisms.

In contrast, the other processes mentioned serve different functions. Cellular respiration primarily breaks down glucose for energy release, fermentation is an anaerobic process for energy production in the absence of oxygen, and transpiration refers to the process of water movement through a plant and its evaporation from aerial parts, primarily leaves.