Plants perform essential processes to survive and grow. One of the most important is photosynthesis, where plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce glucose and oxygen. This process occurs mainly in the leaves, specifically in cells containing chlorophyll, the green pigment that captures light energy. Another vital process is respiration, which allows plants to convert the glucose produced during photosynthesis into energy. This energy is necessary for growth, reproduction, and other functions. During respiration, plants take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide, similar to how animals breathe, but they primarily rely on the energy stored in glucose.