The photosynthetic process is how plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy. During this process, these organisms use sunlight, carbon dioxide from the air, and water from the soil to produce glucose, a type of sugar that serves as food. Oxygen is released as a byproduct, which is essential for the survival of most living organisms. Photosynthesis primarily occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where the green pigment chlorophyll captures sunlight. The process can be divided into two main stages: the light-dependent reactions, which convert light energy into chemical energy, and the light-independent reactions, also known as the Calvin cycle, where glucose is synthesized.