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

The process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy is known as photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water from the soil. Using sunlight captured by chlorophyll in their leaves, they convert these inputs into glucose and oxygen. The glucose produced serves as a vital energy source for the plant, effectively storing light energy in a chemical form, which can be utilized for growth, reproduction, and other metabolic processes.

Photosynthesis occurs primarily in the chloroplasts of plant cells and involves two main stages: the light-dependent reactions and the light-independent reactions, also known as the Calvin cycle. In the light-dependent reactions, sunlight is converted into ATP and NADPH, while the Calvin cycle uses these products to synthesize glucose from carbon dioxide.

This process is essential not only for the plants themselves but also for life on Earth, as it forms the foundation of the food chain and produces oxygen, which is crucial for many organisms, including humans.