What process converts carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen?

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen using sunlight. During this process, chlorophyll in the plant’s cells captures light energy, which drives the chemical reactions that combine carbon dioxide from the atmosphere with water absorbed from the soil to form glucose, a simple sugar that serves as an energy source for the plant. Oxygen is released as a by-product of this reaction, which is crucial for the survival of aerobic organisms, including humans.

This foundational concept is essential in understanding the role of plants in ecosystems and the energy transfer within food chains, as glucose produced during photosynthesis is used by the plants for growth and energy, while also serving as a primary food source for herbivores and, subsequently, for carnivores. Photosynthesis plays a pivotal role in maintaining the balance of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the atmosphere, making it vital for life on Earth.