Sugar is manufactured in plants through a process known as photosynthesis. Plants containing chlorophyll carry out this process in the presence of sunlight. These plants convert the light energy of the Sun into the chemical energy of sugars by the following chemical reaction:
`6CO_2 + 6 H_2O + sunlight -> C_6H_12O_6 + 6O_2`
In this process, plants also use carbon dioxide and water and produce glucose molecules and oxygen. Stoichiometrically, 6 moles of carbon dioxide and 6 moles of water are consumed in the presence of sunlight to generate 1 mole of glucose sugar and 6 moles of oxygen.
This process is essential for the sustenance of aerobic life on Earth, since this process produces oxygen for us.
Note that photosynthesis can only take place in the presence of light. If the plant is kept in the dark, sugar production stops.
Hope this helps.
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