The process of converting solar energy into chemical energy is called photosynthesis. This process occurs in plants, algae, and some bacteria, transforming carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen, using sunlight as an energy source. Chlorophyll, the pigment in chloroplasts, captures light energy, driving the reactions that convert inorganic molecules into organic compounds. This transformation is fundamental for life on Earth, as it produces the glucose that serves as food for plants and, ultimately, for herbivores and higher trophic levels. Photosynthesis also plays a crucial role in maintaining atmospheric oxygen levels.