What is the process by which plants make their own food using sunlight?

Plants produce their own food through a process called photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants utilize sunlight, carbon dioxide from the air, and water from the soil to synthesize glucose, which serves as energy for growth and development. This process primarily takes place in the leaves, where chlorophyll, the green pigment, captures sunlight. The chemical equation for photosynthesis can be summed up as follows: carbon dioxide and water, in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll, are converted into glucose and oxygen.

This process is fundamental to life on Earth, as it not only provides energy for plants but also produces oxygen, which is essential for the survival of most living organisms. Knowing this process helps us understand the vital role plants play in the ecosystem as producers.