What is the chemical process called that uses sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose?

The chemical process that uses sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose is known as photosynthesis. This process occurs primarily in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where chlorophyll captures sunlight. The energy from sunlight drives the reaction that transforms carbon dioxide, absorbed from the atmosphere, and water, taken up from the soil, into glucose, a simple sugar that serves as an energy source for the plant.

During photosynthesis, oxygen is released as a byproduct, which is essential for the survival of most living organisms on Earth. The overall equation for photosynthesis can be simplified to 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂, where CO₂ represents carbon dioxide, H₂O represents water, C₆H₁₂O₆ is glucose, and O₂ is oxygen.

This process is crucial not only for plants but also for life on Earth, as it forms the base of the food chain and provides the oxygen necessary for aerobic organisms. Other processes mentioned, like aerobic respiration and fermentation, are related to energy release rather than the capture and conversion of energy from sunlight.