Which process allows plants to capture sunlight to make energy?

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy. During this process, chlorophyll, the green pigment found in plant cells, absorbs light energy from the sun. This energy is then used to transform carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water from the soil into glucose and oxygen. The glucose produced serves as a vital energy source for the plant, while oxygen is released as a byproduct into the atmosphere, supporting life on Earth.

In photosynthesis, the overall equation can be simplified to: 6 CO₂ + 6 H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6 O₂.

This highlights the essential role of sunlight in providing the necessary energy for the transformation of inorganic substances into organic matter, making it crucial for the growth and energy supply of plants as well as for the ecosystems they support.

Other processes such as respiration typically involve breaking down glucose to release energy and do not capture sunlight. Decomposition refers to the breakdown of organic material into simpler substances, which does not utilize sunlight to create energy. Chemosynthesis is a process used by certain organisms to obtain energy from inorganic molecules, not from sunlight.