Which process uses sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates?

Which process uses sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates?

• A. Photosynthesis
• B. Respiration
• C. Transpiration
• D. Digestion

Answer: (A)

Photosynthesis uses sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates. Green tissues capture light energy with chlorophyll and drive reactions that split water and fix carbon dioxide into sugars like glucose. This stores energy in carbohydrate molecules that the plant uses to grow, and oxygen is released as a byproduct. In turfgrass, this is how the plant builds the sugars it needs for growth, provided light, water, and CO2 are available. The other processes don’t form sugars from CO2 and water: respiration uses stored carbohydrates to release energy; transpiration is the loss of water from leaves; and digestion is breaking down food to absorb nutrients in animals.

Photosynthesis uses sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates. Green tissues capture light energy with chlorophyll and drive reactions that split water and fix carbon dioxide into sugars like glucose. This stores energy in carbohydrate molecules that the plant uses to grow, and oxygen is released as a byproduct. In turfgrass, this is how the plant builds the sugars it needs for growth, provided light, water, and CO2 are available. The other processes don’t form sugars from CO2 and water: respiration uses stored carbohydrates to release energy; transpiration is the loss of water from leaves; and digestion is breaking down food to absorb nutrients in animals.