The process by which plants absorb sunlight is known as photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants convert sunlight into chemical energy by taking in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water from the soil. This process occurs primarily in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where the green pigment chlorophyll captures light energy. The overall reaction produces glucose, a simple sugar used for energy and growth, and releases oxygen as a byproduct, which is essential for many other living organisms.