The process that allows light to be absorbed and converted into chemical energy by plants is called photosynthesis. This complex process occurs primarily in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where sunlight is captured by the pigment chlorophyll. Using this solar energy, plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen, making it a crucial process for both plant life and the broader ecosystem. Photosynthesis is essential for providing the organic matter and energy on which almost all life depends.