The main role of photosynthesis in the environment is to convert light energy, usually from the sun, into chemical energy stored in glucose. This process occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where carbon dioxide and water are transformed into glucose and oxygen, providing energy for growth and metabolism. Photosynthesis is essential for life on Earth, as it forms the base of the food chain and contributes to the oxygen supply, directly supporting most terrestrial and aquatic organisms.