Oxygenic photosynthesis is a process used by plants, algae, and some bacteria to convert light energy into chemical energy. During this process, these organisms capture sunlight and use it to transform carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. The chlorophyll pigment in chloroplasts absorbs light, initiating the reactions that produce energy-rich compounds. This type of photosynthesis is essential for life on Earth, as it generates the oxygen we breathe and serves as the foundation of the food chain. The oxygen produced is released into the atmosphere, supporting aerobic organisms, including humans and animals, which rely on oxygen for respiration.