What is the process by which plants convert sunlight into food called?

The process by which plants convert sunlight into food is known as photosynthesis. This vital biological process occurs primarily in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where chlorophyll captures light energy from the sun. During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil. Using the energy collected from sunlight, they convert these raw materials into glucose—a type of sugar that serves as food for the plant—and oxygen, which is released as a byproduct.

Photosynthesis is crucial not only for plants but also for life on Earth as it forms the basis of the food chain and is responsible for the oxygen we breathe. It is different from respiration, which is the process by which organisms convert glucose into energy. Transpiration refers to the movement of water through a plant and its evaporation from aerial parts, primarily leaves. Assimilation involves incorporating nutrients into the plant's cells but does not specifically refer to the production of food using sunlight.