Photosynthesis is the fundamental process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy. This process occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells, specifically in the thylakoid membranes. In the first stage of photosynthesis, known as the light-dependent reactions, light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll and converted into chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH. These molecules are then used in the second stage, the light-independent reactions, to drive the conversion of carbon dioxide into glucose. The overall chemical equation for photosynthesis is 6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy -> C6H12O6 + 6O2. This equation summarizes the process whereby carbon dioxide and water are converted into glucose and oxygen, with light energy as the driving force. Photosynthesis is crucial for life on Earth as it provides the oxygen we breathe and is the basis for the food chain, as plants are the primary producers. Understanding the intricacies of photosynthesis is vital for our understanding of how organisms obtain energy and sustain life.