Which process describes how plants convert glucose into usable energy?

The process by which plants convert glucose into usable energy is known as cellular respiration. During cellular respiration, plants utilize glucose—a product generated through photosynthesis—as a key energy source. This process occurs in the mitochondria of plant cells, where glucose is broken down in the presence of oxygen to release energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP serves as the primary energy carrier in cells, enabling various biological functions and processes.

While photosynthesis is the process that converts light energy into chemical energy, specifically creating glucose from carbon dioxide and water, it is not the method through which energy is released. Fermentation is another form of energy conversion that occurs in the absence of oxygen and produces less energy than cellular respiration. Transpiration refers to the movement of water vapor from plant leaves into the atmosphere and is not directly related to energy conversion processes. Thus, cellular respiration is the correct choice for describing how plants convert glucose into usable energy.