Which statement best describes photosynthesis?

• A. A process that converts nitrogen gas into ammonia for incorporation into amino acids
• B. A process in which organisms use heat energy to convert $C_{\mathrm{O}}2$ directly into ATP without light or pigments
• C. A process in which cells break down glucose to generate ATP, consuming $O_2$ and releasing $C_{\mathrm{O}}2$
• D. A process in which light energy is converted into chemical energy by producing sugars from $C_6{H}_{12}{O}_6$ precursors using $C_{\mathrm{O}}2$ and $H_{2}O$, releasing $O_2$

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the process of photosynthesis as a biological mechanism where light energy is captured and converted into chemical energy stored in sugars.
2. Step 2: Recognize that photosynthesis uses carbon dioxide (\(\mathrm{CO_2}\)) and water (\(\mathrm{H_2O}\)) as raw materials to produce glucose (\(\mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6}\)) and oxygen (\(\mathrm{O_2}\)) as a byproduct.
3. Step 3: Recall that photosynthesis occurs in plants, algae, and some bacteria, involving pigments like chlorophyll that absorb light energy.
4. Step 4: Differentiate photosynthesis from other processes such as nitrogen fixation (converting nitrogen gas to ammonia), cellular respiration (breaking down glucose to produce ATP), and non-light dependent ATP production.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the best description of photosynthesis is the process where light energy is converted into chemical energy by producing sugars from \(\mathrm{CO_2}\) and \(\mathrm{H_2O}\), releasing \(\mathrm{O_2}\).