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Light
One of the basic requirements of the photosynthesis process is input energy, which in the case of plants on Earth, comes from the sun. Though the sun gives off a wide range of energy, the energy that drives the photosynthesis process in plants is primarily the same as visible light energy, which consist of the wavelengths from 400 to 700 nm. It is this energy that drives the photosynthesis process.
Chloroplasts
Another of the key ingredients in the photosynthesis process is what are called chloroplasts. Chloroplasts, which are an organelle found in certain plant cells, are where the photosynthetic process takes place. It is there that incoming energy from the sun is converted in to usable energy for the plant. The chemical reactions that convert sunlight in to usable energy are complex, but chloroplasts are mostly located in specialized leaf cells, and distribute energy to the rest of the organism from there.
Pigment Molecules
Pigment molecules are the molecules responsible for actually absorbing the energy of the sun. There are three main pigment molecules, and they are chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoids. To convert the most energy possible and to thus out-compete other plants, the average plant is covered in light absorbing pigment molecules. In fact, plants appear green because of chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is so plentiful on the planet Earth that regions of the planet actually appear green from space.
Soil Nutrients
Energy from the sun is not the only ingredient that goes in to the photosynthesis process. Plants also absorb nutrients from the soil and air, which both contribute to the conversion of sunlight in to usable energy and also help the organism to grow. Plants absorb CO2 from the air, for instance, and output oxygen. They also absorb water from the soil, along with elements like calcium and nitrogen.