What process involves the synthesis of compounds using radiant energy, particularly in plants?

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert radiant energy from the sun into chemical energy in the form of glucose. During this process, chlorophyll within the chloroplasts captures sunlight and uses this energy to transform carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil into glucose and oxygen. The overall reaction can be summarized as:

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

This process is crucial for life on Earth as it provides the organic compounds and oxygen necessary for the survival of most living organisms. While other processes such as respiration involve the breakdown of glucose to release energy, they do not utilize radiant energy to create compounds.