What process converts sugars to acids, gases, or alcohol in the absence of oxygen?

The correct answer is the process of microbial fermentation, which is a metabolic process that converts sugars into acids, gases, or alcohol in the absence of oxygen. During fermentation, microorganisms such as yeast and various bacteria break down carbohydrates to obtain energy, producing byproducts such as ethanol, carbon dioxide, and organic acids.

Fermentation is critical in various applications, including food and beverage production, where it is responsible for the creation of products like beer, wine, yogurt, and sauerkraut. This anaerobic process allows organisms to survive in environments lacking oxygen by enabling them to generate energy from sugar as an organic substrate.

In contrast, the other options do not relate to this specific anaerobic energy conversion process. Mitosis refers to the process of cell division and reproduction of eukaryotic cells, while photosynthesis involves the conversion of light energy into chemical energy by plants and some microorganisms, producing glucose and oxygen. Cellular respiration typically occurs in the presence of oxygen and involves the complete oxidation of glucose to produce ATP, carbon dioxide, and water. Thus, microbial fermentation distinctly characterizes the conversion of sugars to various products without oxygen involvement.