The term for the process of converting light into energy in plants is photosynthesis. During this process, plants, algae, and some bacteria capture light energy, primarily from the sun, using a pigment called chlorophyll. This light energy is then used to convert carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil into glucose, a simple sugar that serves as food for the plant. Oxygen is released as a byproduct. Photosynthesis is crucial for life on Earth, as it not only provides food for plants but also produces oxygen, which is essential for most living organisms.