What is the process by which plants convert sunlight into food called?

The process by which plants convert sunlight into food is known as photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, chlorophyll in plant leaves absorbs sunlight, which provides the energy needed to convert carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water from the soil into glucose (a type of sugar) and oxygen. This process is crucial as it not only provides energy for the plants themselves but also releases oxygen into the atmosphere, which is essential for the survival of most living organisms on Earth.

Photosynthesis primarily occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells and involves multiple stages, including the light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle. The overall equation for photosynthesis can be summarized as 6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2, illustrating how carbon dioxide and water are transformed into glucose and oxygen with the help of sunlight.

In contrast, cellular respiration is a process where organisms convert glucose and oxygen into energy, water, and carbon dioxide, functioning in the opposite manner to photosynthesis. Decomposition involves the breakdown of organic matter, and fermentation is an anaerobic process that converts sugars to acids, gases, or alcohol in the absence of oxygen. Understanding photosynthesis is fundamental as it is the primary means of energy production