Final answer:
Photosynthesis is a biochemical process in plants that converts sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen. It consists of light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle. The process is crucial for sustaining life on Earth.
Step-by-step explanation:
Photosynthesis is a biochemical process that plants use to convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose, a carbohydrate, and oxygen. It consists of two stages: the light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle. In the light-dependent reactions, chlorophyll absorbs energy from sunlight and converts it into chemical energy, releasing oxygen as a byproduct. In the Calvin cycle, the energy from the light-dependent reactions is used to capture carbon dioxide and assemble sugar molecules. Overall, photosynthesis is a vital process that sustains life on Earth by producing food and oxygen.