The term for the process plants use to convert sunlight into energy is photosynthesis. During this process, chlorophyll in plant cells absorbs sunlight, converting carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. Photosynthesis is essential for life on Earth, as it provides the oxygen we breathe and serves as the foundation of the food chain. Plants, algae, and some bacteria perform photosynthesis, utilizing sunlight as a primary energy source. The overall reaction of photosynthesis can be summarized by the equation: 6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2. This remarkable process also helps regulate atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.