Which process do aquatic plants use to convert sunlight into food?

Aquatic plants utilize photosynthesis to convert sunlight into food. This vital process allows them to absorb light energy, typically from the sun, and use it to convert carbon dioxide from the water and nutrients from the soil into glucose, a form of sugar. This glucose serves as food for the plants, providing energy for growth and development. Through photosynthesis, aquatic plants also release oxygen as a byproduct, which is essential for the survival of many aquatic organisms.

In contrast, transpiration refers to the movement of water within plants and its evaporation from aerial parts, such as leaves. Respiration is a process where cells break down glucose and oxygen to produce energy, but it is not how plants make food. Fermentation is a process that occurs in the absence of oxygen and helps certain organisms break down food, but it is not relevant to how aquatic plants create their food using sunlight.