Which process occurs in plants to convert solar energy into chemical energy?

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert solar energy into chemical energy stored in glucose. This process occurs primarily in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where chlorophyll captures sunlight. During photosynthesis, carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water from the soil undergo a series of reactions powered by sunlight to produce glucose and oxygen. The overall equation for photosynthesis is often summarized as:

6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂.

In contrast, respiration is the process of breaking down glucose to release energy, which occurs in all living organisms, and is not about converting solar energy. Transpiration involves the movement of water through a plant and its evaporation from aerial parts, which helps with nutrient transport but does not convert solar energy into chemical energy. Fermentation is a metabolic process that breaks down sugars in the absence of oxygen and is typically utilized in anaerobic conditions, rather than harnessing solar energy like photosynthesis does.