What is the process by which plants make their food called?

The process by which plants make their food is called photosynthesis. This is a critical biological process occurring primarily in the leaves of plants, where chlorophyll, the green pigment, captures sunlight. During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide from the air through small openings called stomata and absorb water from the soil through their roots. Utilizing the energy from sunlight, chlorophyll facilitates a series of chemical reactions that convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose, a form of sugar that serves as food for the plant, and oxygen, which is released as a byproduct.

Understanding photosynthesis is essential because it is the foundation of the food chain, providing energy not only for the plants themselves but also for the numerous organisms that rely directly or indirectly on plants for sustenance. In contrast, respiration refers to the process by which organisms convert glucose and oxygen into energy, transpiration involves the movement of water within plants and its evaporation from leaves, and digestion is the process of breaking down food substances in animals.