Final answer:
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen and water, transforming light energy into chemical energy and producing glucose and oxygen.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process that plants use to take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen and water is called photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants and bacteria convert carbon dioxide (CO2), liquid water (H2O), and light into glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen gas (O2). The chemical equation for this process is 6CO2 + 6H2O + Light Energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2. Photosynthesis is vital to the existence of life on Earth because it produces oxygen, which is essential for the survival of most organisms. It also converts light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose, a carbohydrate that plants use as food.