Final answer:
Photosynthesis is the biological process that involves using solar energy to absorb inorganic carbon from the atmosphere to create organic carbon compounds, like glucose, while releasing oxygen to the atmosphere.
Step-by-step explanation:
The biological process that involves absorbing inorganic carbon from the atmosphere to create organic carbon using solar energy is known as photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, photosynthetic autotrophs, such as plants, capture light energy from the sun and absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) from their environment. Using the light energy, they convert these reactants into glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2), with oxygen being released as a waste product into the atmosphere. The general equation for photosynthesis can be summarized as:
- 6CO2 + 6H2O + Light Energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2.
This critical process not only produces organic compounds that are essential for the survival of the autotrophs but also contributes to the global carbon cycle by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and reinstating oxygen for other organisms to breathe.