Final answer:
Photosynthesis is the process in the carbon cycle where carbon dioxide and water are converted to glucose and oxygen by plants using sunlight.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the carbon cycle, carbon dioxide and water are converted to glucose and oxygen by the process of photosynthesis. Plants use the energy of sunlight to transform carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O) into glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and oxygen gas (O₂). This reaction is crucial for the replenishment of oxygen in our atmosphere and is represented by the chemical equation: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + sunlight → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂. In this process, carbon dioxide is reduced to glucose, while water is oxidized to oxygen gas, forming the building blocks for more complex carbohydrates, as well as plant proteins and oils.