The process by which plants convert sunlight into food is known as photosynthesis. During this process, plants, algae, and some bacteria use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce glucose and oxygen. The chlorophyll in plant cells captures light energy, which drives the chemical reactions that transform carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. This process is crucial for life on Earth, as it provides the primary source of energy for most ecosystems and contributes to the oxygen content of the atmosphere.