What is the process by which solar radiation is captured by chlorophyll to produce energy in the form of carbohydrates?

The process described in the question is photosynthesis, which is the fundamental mechanism by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy. During photosynthesis, chlorophyll, the green pigment found in the chloroplasts of plant cells, absorbs sunlight. This energy is used to convert carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water from the soil into glucose (a type of carbohydrate), along with oxygen as a byproduct.

Photosynthesis occurs primarily in two stages: the light-dependent reactions, which capture solar energy and convert it into ATP and NADPH, and the light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle), where the ATP and NADPH are used to synthesize glucose. This process not only provides energy for the plants themselves but also forms the base of the food chain, supporting nearly all life on Earth.

The other options refer to different biological processes. Cellular respiration is the process by which organisms convert glucose into usable energy (ATP), whereas fermentation is an anaerobic process that breaks down carbohydrates without oxygen. Transpiration is the process of water movement through a plant and the evaporation of water from aerial parts, primarily leaves. These options do not involve the capture of solar energy to produce carbohydrates, making photosynthesis the correct choice.