What biological process do green plants use to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen and additional plant material using sunlight?

Green plants utilize photosynthesis as the biological process to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen and energy-rich plant material, using sunlight as the driving energy source. During photosynthesis, chlorophyll, the green pigment in plants, captures sunlight and harnesses its energy to drive chemical reactions.

In this process, plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through small openings in their leaves called stomata. Simultaneously, they take in water through their roots. Using sunlight, these materials undergo a series of transformations to produce glucose, a type of sugar that serves as food for the plant, and oxygen, which is released back into the atmosphere as a byproduct.

Photosynthesis not only supports plant growth and energy storage but also plays a critical role in maintaining atmospheric oxygen levels and carbon dioxide balance on Earth, making it vital for both ecological health and human existence.

The other processes listed, such as respiration and fermentation, are related to energy production but do not specifically convert carbon dioxide into oxygen and plant material. Transpiration refers to the movement of water vapor from the plant to the atmosphere, which is also crucial but does not involve the conversion of carbon dioxide into oxygen.