Final answer:
The process by which plants capture energy and make glucose is known as Photosynthesis, where sunlight is converted to chemical energy, combining carbon dioxide and water to create glucose and oxygen.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct option : c
This biological process is essential for life on earth, as it is the means by which plants capture light energy from the sun and convert it into chemical energy in the form of glucose, a simple sugar. Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells where chlorophyll, the green pigment in plants, absorbs solar energy. This energy is then used to combine carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere with water (H2O) to produce glucose (C6H12O6) and release oxygen (O2) as a byproduct.
Detailed biochemical steps can be divided into two main stages: the light reactions and the Calvin cycle. During the light reactions, solar energy is captured and converted into chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH. These energy carriers are then used in the Calvin cycle to synthesize glucose from CO2 and water. Thus, through photosynthesis, plants not only feed themselves but also produce the oxygen we breathe and the carbohydrates necessary for the survival of many other organisms, including humans.