Which process is primarily responsible for converting light energy into chemical energy?

The process responsible for converting light energy into chemical energy is photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, organisms like plants, algae, and some bacteria capture sunlight using chlorophyll in their chloroplasts. This light energy is then used to synthesize glucose from carbon dioxide and water, effectively storing energy in the form of chemical bonds within the glucose molecules. This transformation is crucial for life on Earth, as it provides the primary energy source for nearly all living organisms, either directly or indirectly.

In contrast, cellular respiration is the process by which organisms break down glucose to release stored energy for use in cellular activities. Fermentation is a metabolic process that converts sugar to acids, gases, or alcohol in the absence of oxygen, and glycolysis is the first step of cellular respiration, where glucose is broken down to produce energy. These processes do not utilize light energy to create chemical energy; instead, they rely on the breakdown of already existing organic molecules.