Which process do plants use to convert carbon dioxide into organic compounds?

Plants utilize photosynthesis to convert carbon dioxide into organic compounds, primarily glucose. This process takes place in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where light energy from the sun is captured by chlorophyll, the green pigment. During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide from the air through small openings in their leaves called stomata.

The trapped light energy is used to drive a series of chemical reactions that combine carbon dioxide and water, ultimately producing glucose and releasing oxygen as a byproduct. Glucose serves as an essential organic compound that provides energy for the plant and acts as a building block for growth and development.

The other processes listed are not responsible for the conversion of carbon dioxide into organic compounds. Respiration, while also a crucial process for plants, involves the breakdown of glucose to release energy rather than the synthesis of organic compounds. Transpiration refers to the loss of water vapor from the plant surface, and fermentation is an anaerobic process related to energy production in certain conditions, different from the primary role of photosynthesis.