Final answer:
During photosynthesis, light energy is transformed into chemical energy, which is used by plants to produce glucose. This is how photoautotrophs convert light into a storable form of energy in the ecosystem.
Step-by-step explanation:
During photosynthesis, light energy is converted into chemical energy. The specific energy transformation that takes place during photosynthesis is that light energy turns into chemical energy. This process allows plants and other photoautotrophs to produce glucose, which is a basic carbohydrate molecule that stores energy in its chemical bonds. This conversion is fundamental to the ecosystem as it provides the base for the food chain.
When comparing to a photovoltaic cell, where solar energy transforms into electric energy, photosynthesis operates differently by harnessing light energy directly to produce food through chemical processes in the chloroplasts.