Plants convert sunlight into energy through the process of photosynthesis. This occurs primarily in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where chlorophyll captures sunlight and uses its energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. The overall process can be summarized by the equation: carbon dioxide + water + sunlight → glucose + oxygen. The glucose produced serves as an essential energy source for the plant, supporting growth and metabolic processes, while oxygen is released as a byproduct, benefiting other organisms.