What is the role of chlorophyll in photosynthesis?

Chlorophyll plays a crucial role in photosynthesis by absorbing light energy, primarily from the sun. This process occurs within the chloroplasts of plant cells, where chlorophyll captures light energy and converts it into chemical energy. This energy is then used to drive the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into glucose, a type of sugar that serves as food for the plant. This transformation not only provides energy for the plant's growth and metabolism but also contributes oxygen to the atmosphere as a byproduct.

The other options, while related to plant function, do not accurately describe the specific role of chlorophyll in photosynthesis. Regulating temperature is typically managed through processes like transpiration and not directly by chlorophyll. Similarly, providing structure pertains to components like cell walls and structural tissues, and storing water and nutrients is usually handled by specialized plant tissues like roots. None of these functions relate to the primary role of chlorophyll in capturing light energy to facilitate the photosynthesis process.