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

Plants convert sunlight into chemical energy through the process of photosynthesis. This process primarily occurs in the leaves of plants, where chlorophyll, a green pigment, absorbs sunlight. During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil. The energy from sunlight is then used to transform these raw materials into glucose, a type of sugar that serves as food for the plant, and oxygen, which is released as a byproduct.

Photosynthesis is essential for the growth and energy storage in plants, forming the basis of the food chain in ecosystems. It also plays a critical role in regulating atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and generating oxygen needed by most life forms on Earth.

The other processes mentioned, such as respiration, transpiration, and fermentation, serve different functions in biological systems. Respiration is the process by which organisms convert glucose and oxygen into energy, while transpiration involves the movement of water within a plant and its evaporation from aerial parts. Fermentation is an anaerobic process that produces energy when oxygen is scarce, but it is not how plants primarily create their energy.