The chemical process by which plants convert carbon dioxide into organic compounds is known as photosynthesis. This process occurs primarily in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where sunlight is captured by the pigment chlorophyll. During photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and water (H2O) from the soil, using sunlight to convert these into glucose and oxygen. This reaction is fundamental for life on Earth, as it provides the primary energy source for nearly all ecosystems and contributes to the global carbon cycle by removing CO2 from the atmosphere.