Light plays a crucial role in photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert solar energy into chemical energy. Specifically, chlorophyll, a pigment in chloroplasts, absorbs sunlight and uses that energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. This process not only provides the energy necessary for plant growth but also generates oxygen as a byproduct, which is essential for the survival of most living organisms. Therefore, light is integral to sustaining both the plant itself and the wider ecosystem.