The specialized structure that absorbs light energy in green plants is known as the chloroplast. Chloroplasts contain the pigment chlorophyll, which captures sunlight and converts it into chemical energy through the process of photosynthesis. This process involves the synthesis of glucose from carbon dioxide and water, utilizing light energy, which is crucial for the plant's energy requirements and growth. Chloroplasts play a vital role in transforming solar energy into a form that can be used by nearly all life forms on Earth.