Which process is essential for the survival of plants and involves the production of glucose?

Photosynthesis is the vital process for the survival of plants, as it enables them to produce glucose, which serves as their primary source of energy. During photosynthesis, plants utilize sunlight, carbon dioxide from the air, and water taken up from the soil to generate glucose and oxygen. This glucose is crucial because it is used by the plant for growth, reproduction, and storage.

In this process, light energy is converted into chemical energy, allowing plants to synthesize their own food. This is fundamental not only for their survival but also for the entire ecosystem, as plants are primary producers and are the foundation of the food chain. The oxygen released during photosynthesis is also essential for the survival of most living organisms on Earth.

Other processes listed do not primarily deal with the production of glucose in the same way. Respiration is about breaking down glucose to release energy. Decomposition pertains to breaking down dead organic matter and recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. Transpiration involves the movement of water through a plant and its evaporation from aerial parts, primarily leaves, which does not directly relate to glucose production.