The process by which plants make food is called photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy stored in glucose. This process primarily occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where chlorophyll—the green pigment—captures light energy. Through a series of chemical reactions, carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water from the soil combine to produce glucose and oxygen. The oxygen is released into the atmosphere while the glucose serves as an energy source for the plant and a foundation for the food chain, supporting life on Earth.