Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert sunlight into chemical energy. During this process, carbon dioxide and water are converted into glucose and oxygen by using energy from the sun. Photosynthesis is important because it produces the oxygen that we breathe and provides the basis for the food chain by producing organic compounds that serve as food for heterotrophs. It also helps to regulate the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which plays a major role in global climate change.
