What process is described by photosynthesis?

The process of photosynthesis can be thoroughly understood as the conversion of light energy into chemical energy, which succinctly captures the essence of what happens during this phenomenon. During photosynthesis, plants utilize sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. This transformation involves chlorophyll, the green pigment found in plant leaves, which absorbs light energy, primarily from the sun.

While the choice referring to the manufacturing of sugar from water and carbon dioxide highlights a key outcome of photosynthesis—the production of glucose—it is essential to recognize that this process fundamentally involves the conversion of light energy into a stable form of chemical energy. It is this crucial change, where energy captured from sunlight is stored in the form of chemical bonds in glucose molecules, that is central to the definition of photosynthesis.

Additionally, the correct answer emphasizes the integral role of photosynthesis not only in plant life but also within terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, as it supplies energy that supports various forms of life, illustrating why this process is central to ecological balance.