Photosynthesis is the process in which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert energy from sunlight into chemical energy that can be used for fuel. This process involves the absorption of light energy by pigments such as chlorophyll, which are found in the chloroplasts of the plant cells. The light energy excites electrons in the pigment molecules, which convert the energy into chemical potential energy stored in the molecules of ATP and NADPH.
During photosynthesis, carbon dioxide from the air enters the plant through small pores called stomata, and is combined with water, which is absorbed by the plant's roots. These two molecules are then broken down into simple sugars (glucose) and oxygen molecules. The glucose is used to create complex organic molecules needed by the plant, such as starches and cellulose.
Overall, photosynthesis is the process by which plants create food and release oxygen into the atmosphere, making it essential to life on earth.