The type of chemical reaction that absorbs energy from its surroundings is called an endothermic reaction. In this type of reaction, the system takes in energy, typically in the form of heat, leading to a decrease in the temperature of the surroundings. Endothermic reactions are essential in various processes, including photosynthesis, where plants absorb light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. Understanding this type of reaction is important for fields such as thermodynamics and biochemistry.