The process in which plant uses sunlight to synthesize nutrients from carbon dioxide and water is called

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the name of the process in which plants use sunlight to make nutrients (food) from carbon dioxide and water.

Step 2: Explain the concept Plants are autotrophs, meaning they make their own food. They do this inside chloroplasts, which contain chlorophyll, the green pigment that traps light energy.

The overall equation is:

6CO₂ + 6H₂O → (sunlight, chlorophyll) → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

Carbon dioxide and water are the raw materials, sunlight is the energy source, glucose is the food produced, and oxygen is released as a by-product.

Step 3: Check each option

• A. Locomotion: movement of an organism from one place to another. Plants generally don't do this.
• B. Homeostasis: maintaining a stable internal environment, such as body temperature or water balance.
• C. Transpiration: loss of water vapour from the leaves, mainly through the stomata.
• D. Photosynthesis: the manufacture of food from CO₂ and water using light energy. This matches the question exactly.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is D. Photosynthesis.

Exam tip: Break the word apart: photo means light and synthesis means putting together. So photosynthesis means "putting together using light". Whenever you see light, CO₂, water and food production in one question, the answer is photosynthesis.