What process do plants undergo to convert sunlight into energy?

Plants undergo photosynthesis to convert sunlight into energy, a process critical for their growth and survival as well as for sustaining life on Earth. During photosynthesis, plants use chlorophyll in their leaves to capture light energy from the sun. This energy is then used to convert carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water from the soil into glucose (a type of sugar) and oxygen. The glucose produced serves as an energy source for the plant, supporting its metabolic activities and growth.

In addition to providing energy for the plant itself, photosynthesis plays a vital role in the ecosystem by releasing oxygen, which is essential for the survival of most living organisms. This process also contributes to the carbon cycle, helping to regulate levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

The other options refer to different biological processes. Respiration is the process by which organisms convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water, which is the opposite of photosynthesis. Digestion refers to the breakdown of food into nutrients in animals and other organisms, while fermentation is an anaerobic process that breaks down sugars without oxygen. These processes do not involve the conversion of sunlight into energy.