What is the name of the process that plants use to convert sunlight into energy?

The process that plants use to convert sunlight into energy is known as photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil and, utilizing sunlight absorbed by chlorophyll (the green pigment in plants), convert these materials into glucose and oxygen. This process not only provides energy for the plant's growth and development but also plays a critical role in the Earth's ecosystem by producing oxygen, which is essential for the survival of most living organisms.

Photosynthesis occurs primarily in the leaves and is vital for the plant's ability to grow and thrive, as it enables them to synthesize their own food. This ability to harness sunlight and transform it into chemical energy distinguishes plants from animals, which must obtain energy by consuming other organisms.