FFA Horticulture CDE General Practice Exam

What is the process that converts carbon dioxide and water into sugar and oxygen called?

1. Respiration

2. Photosynthesis

3. Transpiration

4. Fermentation

The correct answer is: Photosynthesis

The process that converts carbon dioxide and water into sugar and oxygen is called photosynthesis. This vital biological process occurs primarily in plants, algae, and some bacteria, enabling them to harness energy from sunlight. During photosynthesis, chlorophyll in the plant cells captures sunlight, which drives a series of chemical reactions that transform carbon dioxide, taken from the air, and water, absorbed from the soil, into glucose (a type of sugar). Additionally, oxygen is released as a byproduct of these reactions, which is crucial for the survival of most living organisms on Earth. In contrast, respiration refers to the process by which organisms convert sugar and oxygen into energy, releasing carbon dioxide and water in the process. Transpiration involves the movement of water within plants and its evaporation from aerial parts, primarily leaves, but does not play a role in the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into sugar. Fermentation is a metabolic process that converts sugars to acids, gases, or alcohol in the absence of oxygen, and is not related to the synthesis of sugar from carbon dioxide and water.