The name of the process that converts sunlight into energy in plants is photosynthesis. This biological process occurs primarily in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where chlorophyll, the green pigment, captures sunlight. During photosynthesis, plants utilize carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil to produce glucose and oxygen. The glucose serves as an energy source for growth and development, while the oxygen is released as a byproduct, contributing to the Earth's atmosphere and supporting life.