What process do plants use to create their own food?

Plants create their own food through the process of photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants convert light energy, typically from the sun, into chemical energy stored in glucose, which is a type of sugar. This process occurs mainly in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where chlorophyll— the green pigment— absorbs sunlight.

Photosynthesis requires carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil. Using the energy from light, plants combine these ingredients to produce glucose and oxygen. The overall equation for photosynthesis can be summarized as:

[ \text{6 CO}_2 + \text{6 H}_2\text{O} + \text{light energy} \rightarrow \text{C}6\text{H}{12}\text{O}_6 + \text{6 O}_2 ]

The glucose produced during photosynthesis serves as food for the plant, providing the energy necessary for growth, reproduction, and other vital functions. Additionally, the oxygen released is a by-product that is essential for the survival of most living organisms on Earth.

In contrast, respiration is the process by which plants and animals convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water. Transpiration refers to the movement of water through plants and its