Which process do plants use to make glucose from sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water?

Which process do plants use to make glucose from sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water?

• A. Transpiration
• B. Fermentation
• C. Respiration
• D. Photosynthesis

Answer: (D)

Plants turn sunlight into food through photosynthesis. Chlorophyll in the chloroplasts captures light energy and uses it to combine carbon dioxide from the air with water from the soil, building glucose, a sugar the plant uses for energy and growth. Oxygen is released as a byproduct. You can think of photosynthesis like making plant sugar with the help of light. A simple way to remember the idea is the equation: 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6 O2. Transpiration involves water loss from the plant, while fermentation and respiration deal with using or breaking down glucose, not making it in the first place.

Plants turn sunlight into food through photosynthesis. Chlorophyll in the chloroplasts captures light energy and uses it to combine carbon dioxide from the air with water from the soil, building glucose, a sugar the plant uses for energy and growth. Oxygen is released as a byproduct. You can think of photosynthesis like making plant sugar with the help of light. A simple way to remember the idea is the equation: 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6 O2. Transpiration involves water loss from the plant, while fermentation and respiration deal with using or breaking down glucose, not making it in the first place.