NES Elementary Education Subtest 2 Practice Exam

Plants have a unique ability to convert light energy into chemical energy through a process called photosynthesis. This process occurs primarily in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where chlorophyll absorbs sunlight. During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil. Using light energy, they transform these raw materials into glucose (a form of sugar that serves as a food source) and oxygen, which is released as a byproduct.

Photosynthesis is essential for plant growth and respiration, as it provides the energy needed for various biochemical processes. This conversion of light energy into chemical energy is a foundational concept in biology, as it supports not just plant life but also the entire food chain, allowing energy to flow from plants to herbivores and then to higher trophic levels.

While respiration, cell division, and digestion are all important biological processes, they do not involve the conversion of light energy. Respiration involves the breakdown of glucose to release energy, cell division pertains to the reproduction of cells, and digestion deals with breaking down food for nutrients. None of these processes entails converting light energy into a usable form, which makes photosynthesis the correct choice.