Final answer:
The ozone layer absorbs ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun, which helps protect life on Earth from harmful effects such as DNA damage, skin cancer, and cataracts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of the Sun's radiation that is absorbed by the ozone layer is ultraviolet radiation. The ozone layer acts as a protective shield for the Earth, preventing most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from reaching the surface. Among the various types of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the Sun, which include x-rays, visible light, and infrared, it is specifically the ultraviolet rays that the ozone molecules absorb. This absorption is crucial for life on Earth as it protects organisms, including humans, from potential DNA damage that could lead to cell death and mutations. UVB, in particular, has been linked to harmful effects such as skin cancers, cataracts, and damage to crops and marine life.