What is the normal process of photosynthesis that uses sunlight called?

The process of photosynthesis that utilizes sunlight is known as light photosynthesis. This process primarily occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where chlorophyll, the green pigment, absorbs sunlight. This energy from sunlight is then used to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen, which are essential for the plant's energy and growth. Light-dependent reactions are integral to this phase of photosynthesis, as they capture light energy and create energy-rich molecules like ATP and NADPH, which are later used in the Calvin cycle to produce glucose.

Dark photosynthesis, on the other hand, refers to the series of reactions that occur without direct sunlight, involving the utilization of the products generated during the light-dependent phases. Cellular respiration is a different process entirely, where organisms convert glucose into energy for cellular functions, and chlorophyll synthesis deals with the formation of the chlorophyll pigment, which is vital for capturing light energy but is not the process of photosynthesis itself. Hence, the term light photosynthesis accurately represents the process whereby light energy is harnessed to fuel the creation of organic compounds in plants.