What term describes the photosynthesis process involving plants?

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy, typically in the form of glucose, using carbon dioxide and water as raw materials. During this process, chlorophyll in plant cells captures sunlight, which fuels the transformation of CO2 and H2O into glucose and oxygen. This not only supports the plant's growth and energy needs but also plays a crucial role in the Earth's ecosystem by producing oxygen and serving as a foundational energy source for nearly all life forms.

The other terms listed refer to different biological processes that do not involve the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy. Respiration, for instance, is the process by which organisms convert glucose and oxygen into energy, CO2, and water, acting in some ways as the opposite of photosynthesis. Cytokinesis refers to the division of a cell's cytoplasm during cell division, while fermentation is a metabolic process that occurs in the absence of oxygen, allowing for energy production in some organisms but not involving the photosynthesis pathway.