What process involves the oxidation of inorganic molecules to release energy for synthesizing glucose?

Chemosynthesis is the correct process that involves the oxidation of inorganic molecules to release energy for synthesizing glucose. In chemosynthesis, organisms such as certain bacteria and archaea use energy derived from the oxidation of inorganic substances, like hydrogen sulfide or ammonia, to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose. This process occurs in environments where light is not available, such as in deep-sea hydrothermal vents.

In contrast, photosynthesis is the process by which light energy, typically from the sun, is used by plants, algae, and certain bacteria to synthesize glucose from carbon dioxide and water, utilizing chlorophyll to capture light energy. Cellular respiration is a metabolic process that uses glucose and oxygen to produce energy in the form of ATP, while fermentation is an anaerobic process that converts glucose into energy without the use of oxygen, typically resulting in byproducts like ethanol or lactic acid. Thus, the emphasis in chemosynthesis on the oxidation of inorganic molecules and the consequent synthesis of glucose is what makes it the correct answer.