Photosynthesis is important to living organisms because it is primarily a process that:

• A. Converts nitrogen gas into ammonia for incorporation into amino acids
• B. Converts light energy into chemical energy stored in sugars, releasing oxygen as a byproduct
• C. Converts chemical energy in sugars into ATP for cellular work, consuming oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide
• D. Breaks down proteins into amino acids to provide energy for plant growth

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the main purpose of photosynthesis by recalling its role in plants and other autotrophs. Photosynthesis is a process that captures energy from sunlight.
2. Understand that photosynthesis converts light energy into chemical energy, which is stored in the bonds of sugar molecules like glucose.
3. Recognize that during photosynthesis, oxygen is released as a byproduct when water molecules are split to provide electrons and protons for the light reactions.
4. Differentiate photosynthesis from other processes such as nitrogen fixation (converting nitrogen gas to ammonia), cellular respiration (breaking down sugars to produce ATP), and protein catabolism (breaking down proteins into amino acids).
5. Conclude that the correct description of photosynthesis is the conversion of light energy into chemical energy stored in sugars, with oxygen released as a byproduct.