The green color in leaves comes from chlorophyll, a pigment that captures sunlight. Located in chloroplasts, it's the solar panel that powers the entire process.

When sunlight hits chlorophyll, it splits water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. The energy captured creates ATP—the power currency plants use to make food.

Using captured energy, plants convert CO2 from air into glucose sugar. This happens in the dark reactions, creating the carbohydrates plants need to grow.

Photosynthesis releases oxygen as a byproduct. Every breath you take comes from plants doing their daily work—producing oxygen that all animals need to survive.

Without photosynthesis, life on Earth wouldn't exist. Plants feed the food chain, produce our oxygen, and remove CO2—making them Earth's life support system.