How does photosynthesis turn sunlight into energy for plants?

Photosynthesis occurs primarily in the chloroplasts of plant cells, using chlorophyll to absorb sunlight, mainly in the red and blue wavelengths. The light reactions, which take place in the thylakoid membranes, use this captured light energy to split water molecules, releasing oxygen and generating ATP and NADPH, which are energy-carrying molecules. These energy carriers then power the Calvin cycle in the stroma, where carbon dioxide from the air is fixed and converted into glucose. The plant uses this glucose as a chemical energy source to fuel growth, reproduction, and cellular processes. Essentially, photosynthesis converts electromagnetic energy from sunlight into stable chemical bonds stored in sugar molecules that the plant can break down later as needed.