What process do plants use to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugars?

Plants use photosynthesis as the process to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugars. During photosynthesis, plants capture light energy, usually from the sun, using chlorophyll found in their leaves. This light energy is then used to drive a series of chemical reactions that combine carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water absorbed by the roots to produce glucose, a type of sugar, and oxygen as a byproduct.

This process is vital for plant growth and energy production, as the sugars created during photosynthesis serve as the fundamental energy source for plants and, ultimately, for organisms that consume them. Photosynthesis not only supports the plant itself but also plays a critical role in the global carbon cycle, helping to reduce levels of CO2 in the atmosphere.

Other processes mentioned, such as cellular respiration and fermentation, focus on energy production and breakdown of sugars rather than their synthesis. Transpiration refers to the process of water movement through a plant and its evaporation from aerial parts, which is important for nutrient transport but is not directly involved in converting carbon dioxide and water into sugars.