The process of converting light energy into chemical energy by plants is called photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants use chlorophyll to capture sunlight, primarily in their leaves. This energy is then used to convert carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil into glucose, a type of sugar that serves as food for the plant. Oxygen is released as a byproduct of this process. Photosynthesis is fundamental not only for the growth and energy supply of plants but also for life on Earth, as it produces the oxygen we breathe and forms the base of the food chain.