Which process do plants primarily use to convert sunlight into energy?

Plants primarily use photosynthesis to convert sunlight into energy. This process occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where chlorophyll, the green pigment, captures light energy. During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water from the soil. Using the energy from sunlight, they convert these raw materials into glucose, a form of sugar that serves as an energy source for growth and metabolism. Additionally, oxygen is released as a byproduct, which is vital for the survival of many organisms, including humans.

While metabolism is the set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms, it encompasses much more than just the conversion of sunlight into energy. Cellular respiration is the process through which plants and animals break down glucose to release stored energy, typically using oxygen, which occurs after photosynthesis has produced glucose. Fermentation is an anaerobic process where organisms convert sugars into energy without oxygen, which is not the primary method plants use for energy conversion. Thus, photosynthesis is the key process specifically responsible for converting solar energy into chemical energy for plants.