How do plants convert sunlight into food energy?

Plants convert sunlight into food energy through photosynthesis, which occurs primarily in the chloroplasts of leaf cells. Chlorophyll and other pigments in the chloroplasts absorb light energy, mainly from red and blue wavelengths. This energy is used to split water molecules, releasing oxygen as a byproduct. The captured energy then powers a series of chemical reactions called the Calvin cycle, where carbon dioxide from the air is combined with hydrogen to produce glucose. This glucose serves as the plant's primary energy source and building material. The overall process can be summarized as carbon dioxide plus water, powered by sunlight, yielding glucose and oxygen.