Light energy is converted into what form during photosynthesis?

• A. Chemical energy
• B. Kinetic energy
• C. Electrical energy
• D. Thermal energy

Answer: (A)

Light energy is captured by chlorophyll and used to drive the assembly of sugars from carbon dioxide and water. The energy from light is first stored in the energy carriers ATP and NADPH during the light-dependent reactions, and those carriers power the subsequent steps that build glucose. The energy ends up stored in the chemical bonds of the sugar molecules, so photosynthesis transfers light energy into chemical energy. While some energy may be released as heat, the main outcome is chemical energy stored in carbohydrates.