Final answer:
Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants convert sunlight into chemical energy in the form of glucose, using chlorophyll. This process is vital for the production of oxygen and the storage of energy, which is later available to other forms of life through consumption of plants or plant products.
Step-by-step explanation:
What is Photosynthesis?
The process of converting sunlight into energy is called photosynthesis. This biological phenomenon occurs in the leaves of green plants, where solar energy is absorbed and used to transform carbon dioxide and water into glucose, a simple sugar, and oxygen. The captured solar energy is stored in the chemical bonds of glucose molecules and, later, this energy can be released during cellular respiration. Photosynthesis is essential for life on Earth as it supplies energy and also generates the oxygen that organisms need to breathe.
In easier terms, photosynthesis is the method by which plants harness sunlight and use its energy to convert inorganic substances into food that fuels their growth and reproduction. This process also involves transferring the energy from sunlight into carbohydrates, such as glucose, which are used by the plants for energy and growth. Moreover, photosynthesis releases oxygen into the atmosphere, which is critical for the survival of most living organisms.
Photons from the sun, which are packets of light energy, play a central role in this process. In the presence of chlorophyll, the green pigment in plants, these photons initiate a complex series of reactions that ultimately lead to the formation of glucose and oxygen from carbon dioxide and water.