Which chemical process describes the formation of glucose using sunlight in plants?

The correct choice illustrates the process of photosynthesis, which is the means by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy. During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil, utilizing sunlight as the energy source. This energy drives the chemical reactions in chloroplasts within plant cells that convert these substances into glucose, a simple sugar that serves as an essential energy source for the plant. As a byproduct, oxygen is released into the atmosphere, which is vital for the survival of aerobic organisms.

Photosynthesis encompasses two main stages: the light-dependent reactions and the light-independent reactions, also known as the Calvin cycle. The former occurs in the thylakoid membranes where sunlight is absorbed and converted into chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH. The latter takes place in the stroma of the chloroplast where ATP and NADPH produced in the light-dependent reactions are used to synthesize glucose from carbon dioxide.

Understanding photosynthesis is crucial as it is foundational to life on Earth, supporting food chains and producing oxygen for respiration. This key process in plants is distinct from respiration, which involves the breakdown of glucose for energy; fermentation, which is an anaerobic process of energy production; and vaporization, which is a