What is the process that combines carbon dioxide and water in a reaction driven by light to produce sugars?

Photosynthesis is the process that captures light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose (a type of sugar) and oxygen. This occurs primarily in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where chlorophyll absorbs sunlight. The overall reaction can be summarized by the equation: carbon dioxide + water + light energy → glucose + oxygen.

During photosynthesis, plants utilize sunlight as the energy source to drive the chemical reactions, allowing them to produce their food in the form of sugars, which serves as energy for growth and development. This biological process plays a crucial role in the Earth's ecosystem by providing oxygen and forming the basis of the food chain.