Final answer:
During photosynthesis, plants convert carbon dioxide into sugar molecules, such as glucose. These sugars are used by plants for energy or transported to other parts of the plant. They also serve as an important source of energy for other organisms in the ecosystem.
Step-by-step explanation:
During photosynthesis, plants use the energy of sunlight to convert carbon dioxide gas (CO₂) into sugar molecules, like glucose (C6H12O6). These sugar molecules contain energy and can be converted into other sugar molecules, such as sucrose or starch, which are used for energy storage in plants. The sugars synthesized during photosynthesis can be utilized by plants for their own energy needs, or they can be transported to other parts of the plant to be used as a source of energy for growth, reproduction, and other cellular processes.
In addition to being used by plants, the sugars produced during photosynthesis are also an important source of energy for other organisms in the ecosystem. When plants are consumed by animals, the sugars are broken down through cellular respiration to release energy for the animal's metabolic processes. This energy flows through the food chain, with each organism using a portion of the energy stored in the sugars.