Which process is responsible for the conversion of light energy into chemical energy?

Photosynthesis is the process responsible for converting light energy from the sun into chemical energy stored in glucose molecules. This process occurs primarily in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where light energy is captured by chlorophyll and used to synthesize glucose from carbon dioxide and water.

During photosynthesis, solar energy excites electrons in the chlorophyll, initiating a series of chemical reactions that ultimately lead to the production of ATP and NADPH, which are energy carriers. These energy-rich molecules are then used in the Calvin cycle to convert carbon dioxide into glucose. This transformation of light energy into a stable form of chemical energy is crucial not only for plants but also for all organisms that rely on plants for food and oxygen.

In contrast, respiration, fermentation, and transpiration serve different functions in biological systems. Respiration breaks down glucose to release energy, fermentation occurs in the absence of oxygen to convert sugars into alcohol or acids, and transpiration refers to the process of water vapor loss from the surface of leaves. None of these processes convert light energy into chemical energy like photosynthesis does.