The process of converting light into energy by plants is called photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants capture light energy, primarily from the sun, and convert it into chemical energy stored in glucose. This process occurs mainly in the leaves, where chlorophyll, the green pigment in plants, absorbs sunlight. Using carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil, plants utilize this light energy to produce glucose and release oxygen as a byproduct. Photosynthesis is vital for life on Earth, as it not only provides energy for plants but also produces oxygen essential for many organisms, including humans.