Which process uses sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen?

Which process uses sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen?

• A. Photosynthesis
• B. Cellular respiration
• C. Decomposition
• D. Combustion

Answer: (A)

Photosynthesis is the process that uses sunlight to power the creation of glucose from water and carbon dioxide. In chloroplasts, light energy captured by chlorophyll drives two main stages: the light-dependent reactions split water, releasing oxygen and producing energy-rich molecules (ATP and NADPH), and the Calvin cycle uses that energy to fix carbon dioxide into glucose. The overall result is that light energy is stored in chemical bonds of glucose, with oxygen released as a byproduct. This contrasts with processes like cellular respiration, which breaks down glucose to release energy, or decomposition and combustion, which break down materials without building new sugar from CO2 and water using light.

Photosynthesis is the process that uses sunlight to power the creation of glucose from water and carbon dioxide. In chloroplasts, light energy captured by chlorophyll drives two main stages: the light-dependent reactions split water, releasing oxygen and producing energy-rich molecules (ATP and NADPH), and the Calvin cycle uses that energy to fix carbon dioxide into glucose. The overall result is that light energy is stored in chemical bonds of glucose, with oxygen released as a byproduct. This contrasts with processes like cellular respiration, which breaks down glucose to release energy, or decomposition and combustion, which break down materials without building new sugar from CO2 and water using light.