Name the process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy.

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert sunlight into chemical energy. During this process, plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and water to produce glucose and oxygen. The process primarily occurs in the leaves, specifically in the chloroplasts, which contain the green pigment chlorophyll that captures light energy.

In photosynthesis, light energy is absorbed and converted into chemical energy stored in the form of glucose. This glucose serves as a vital source of energy for the plant and is fundamental for growth, development, and metabolism. Oxygen, a byproduct of this reaction, is released into the atmosphere, which is essential for the survival of aerobic organisms, including humans.

This process contrasts with cellular respiration, where organisms break down glucose to release energy. Transpiration refers to the movement of water through a plant and its evaporation from aerial parts, while fermentation is a metabolic process that converts sugar to acids, gases, or alcohol in the absence of oxygen. Each of these processes serves different functions within living organisms, but they are distinct from the essential function of photosynthesis in converting light energy into chemical energy.