The chemical process by which plants absorb carbon dioxide is called photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen, using sunlight as an energy source. This process occurs mainly in the leaves within organelles called chloroplasts, which contain chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for capturing light. Photosynthesis is crucial for life on Earth, as it provides the primary source of energy for most organisms through the production of organic compounds and the release of oxygen into the atmosphere.