Plants use the process of photosynthesis to convert sunlight into energy. During photosynthesis, chlorophyll in the leaves absorbs sunlight, which provides the energy needed to convert carbon dioxide (from the air) and water (absorbed from the soil) into glucose and oxygen. This process is essential for plant growth and development, as glucose serves as an energy source for the plant's metabolic activities. The oxygen produced during photosynthesis is released into the atmosphere, playing a crucial role in supporting life on Earth by contributing to the oxygen we breathe. Photosynthesis is fundamental to the Earth's ecology and climate.