Plants undergo a process called photosynthesis to convert sunlight into energy. During this process, chlorophyll in plant cells absorbs sunlight, primarily from the blue and red wavelengths. The energy captured is then used to convert carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil into glucose, a simple sugar. This reaction releases oxygen as a byproduct. Photosynthesis is vital for plant growth and serves as the foundation of the food chain, as it transforms solar energy into chemical energy that fuels various life forms.