The series of chemical reactions that produces sugars from carbon dioxide is called photosynthesis.

Here's a simplified breakdown:

1. Light-dependent reactions: Light energy is captured by chlorophyll in plant cells. This energy is used to split water molecules, releasing oxygen and generating ATP (energy) and NADPH (a reducing agent).

2. Light-independent reactions (Calvin Cycle): Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is incorporated into organic molecules using the energy from ATP and the reducing power of NADPH. This process is called carbon fixation. These organic molecules are then used to build sugars like glucose.

Overall reaction:

6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2

This means that six molecules of carbon dioxide and six molecules of water, in the presence of light energy, are converted into one molecule of glucose (a sugar) and six molecules of oxygen.

Photosynthesis is crucial for life on Earth as it provides the basis for almost all food chains and generates the oxygen we breathe.