Final answer:
In photosynthesis, plants capture solar energy using chlorophyll and convert it into chemical energy stored in ATP and NADPH, which is then used to synthesize glucose from CO2.
Step-by-step explanation:
Photosynthesis and Energy Conversion
The process by which the energy of sunlight is captured by chlorophyll in the leaves of plants is known as photosynthesis. This involves transforming the solar energy into chemical energy stored in molecules of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate). These energy carriers then provide the necessary input to synthesize sugars, like glucose, from carbon dioxide.
In more detail, chlorophyll in the chloroplast absorbs the energy of sunlight. This causes electrons within the chlorophyll molecule to become excited and jump to a higher energy state. These electrons are then passed along a series of carrier molecules in what is known as the electron transport chain, losing energy in a series of reactions that ultimately contribute to the formation of ATP and NADPH. The process continues in the Calvin cycle, where the ATP and NADPH provide the energy to fix carbon dioxide (CO2) into organic molecules such as glucose.
These glucose molecules can then be utilized by the plant for growth and maintenance, or can be consumed by other organisms, effectively transferring the solar energy through the food web. The value of this entire process is that it converts sunlight energy, which is non-chemical and fleeting, into a stable form of chemical energy that is essential for life on Earth.