What is the process by which light energy is converted to chemical energy called?

The process by which light energy is converted into chemical energy is known as photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants, algae, and some bacteria capture light energy, typically from the sun, and use it to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. This conversion takes place primarily in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where chlorophyll, the green pigment, absorbs the light energy necessary for the process.

The overall chemical equation for photosynthesis highlights this transformation: carbon dioxide and water, in the presence of light energy, yield glucose (a type of sugar) and oxygen. This glucose serves as a vital energy source for the plant and, by extension, for other organisms that consume plants for energy.

Understanding photosynthesis is crucial as it forms the foundation of the food chain and is essential for life on Earth, providing oxygen and organic compounds necessary for the survival of most living organisms.