Final answer:
The energy of sunlight is harnessed by organisms like plants, algae, and some bacteria through photosynthesis, storing it in carbohydrates, which are central to life on Earth.
Step-by-step explanation:
Plants, algae, and some bacteria use the energy of sunlight in the process of photosynthesis. The process converts the energy from sunlight into chemical energy stored in the bonds of carbohydrates.
Photosynthesis is a biological process through which photoautotrophs, like plants, algae, and some bacteria, convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy. This energy is then stored in the form of glucose, which is a type of carbohydrate. Photosynthetic organisms use chlorophyll to absorb sunlight and initiate a series of reactions that result in the synthesis of organic molecules. The byproduct of this process is oxygen, which is released into the atmosphere and is crucial for the survival of aerobic life forms. The stored chemical energy in carbohydrates is crucial as it is utilized by living organisms, including humans, to perform various metabolic processes essential for growth, reproduction, and other cellular functions. The sugars produced by photosynthesis serve as a primary energy source within global food webs, supporting both direct consumers and subsequent trophic levels. Consequently, photosynthesis is the foundational source of energy and organic material in nearly all ecosystems.