Which process do plants use to convert sunlight into energy?

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert sunlight into energy. During this process, plants take in carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil. Using the energy obtained from sunlight, they transform these raw materials into glucose (a form of sugar), which serves as food for the plant. Oxygen is produced as a byproduct and released into the atmosphere. This remarkable ability not only provides energy for the plant but also plays a vital role in the ecosystem by contributing oxygen and serving as the foundation of the food chain.

The other processes listed do not involve the conversion of sunlight into energy for the plant. Respiration is a process that breaks down glucose to release energy for the plant's cellular functions. Transpiration refers to the movement of water through a plant and its evaporation from aerial parts, primarily leaves. Decomposition involves the breakdown of dead organic material and is not a process utilized by plants for energy production.