What is the primary source of energy for photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose, a type of sugar. The primary source of energy that drives this process is sunlight. During photosynthesis, chlorophyll and other pigments in the chloroplasts of plant cells capture sunlight, which provides the energy needed to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.

This process takes place in two main stages: the light-dependent reactions, which directly use sunlight to generate energy-rich molecules, and the light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle), which utilize these energy carriers to synthesize glucose from carbon dioxide. Therefore, without sunlight, photosynthesis cannot occur, making it the essential energy source for the entire process.