What process do plants and some other organisms use to convert light energy into oxygen and carbohydrates?

Plants and some other organisms, such as certain algae and bacteria, use photosynthesis as a fundamental process to convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy stored in carbohydrates. During photosynthesis, plants primarily use chlorophyll in their leaves to capture light energy, which drives a series of reactions.

In these reactions, carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is combined with water taken up by the roots to produce glucose, a type of carbohydrate. Oxygen is released as a byproduct of this process. This conversion is vital not only for the survival of the plants themselves but also for life on Earth, as it provides the oxygen we breathe and serves as the foundation of the food chain.

The other processes listed play different roles in the plant's life. Respiration is the process by which organisms convert glucose and oxygen into energy, releasing carbon dioxide and water, but it is not involved in the initial conversion of light energy. Evaporation refers to the transformation of liquid water into vapor, which is related to moisture and climate but not energy conversion. Transpiration is the process of water vapor loss from plant leaves, which helps in nutrient transportation and temperature regulation but does not directly involve converting light energy into carbohydrates and oxygen.