What is the main purpose of photosynthesis?

The main purpose of photosynthesis is to utilize sunlight to convert solar energy into chemical energy. In this process, plants, algae, and some bacteria capture sunlight using chlorophyll in their chloroplasts. This energy is then used to convert carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water from the soil into glucose, a form of chemical energy that can be stored and utilized by the plant for growth, reproduction, and other life processes.

This process is vital not only for the organisms that perform it but also for the entire ecosystem, as it forms the foundation of the food chain. The oxygen produced as a byproduct during photosynthesis is also crucial for the survival of aerobic organisms, including humans. Thus, photosynthesis is fundamentally about converting solar energy into a usable chemical form, which serves as food for plants and, indirectly, for the animals (including humans) that consume them.