The process by which plants make their own food is known as photosynthesis. During this process, plants convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose (a type of sugar) and oxygen. Chlorophyll, the green pigment found in leaves, plays a crucial role in absorbing sunlight. Photosynthesis occurs primarily in the chloroplasts of plant cells and is fundamental for life on Earth, as it provides the organic compounds and oxygen necessary for the survival of most living organisms.