The process that green plants use to convert light energy into chemical energy is called photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide from the air, and water absorbed from the soil to synthesize glucose and oxygen. The chlorophyll in plant leaves captures light energy, and through a series of chemical reactions, this energy is stored in the form of glucose, a type of sugar that serves as food for the plant. The overall equation of photosynthesis can be summarized as: carbon dioxide + water + sunlight → glucose + oxygen. This process is fundamental not only for plants but also for sustaining life on Earth as it produces oxygen and forms the base of the food chain.