Oxygen production during photosynthesis occurs primarily as a byproduct of the process that plants, algae, and some bacteria use to convert light energy into chemical energy.
During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through tiny openings in their leaves called stomata. Simultaneously, they absorb water from the soil through their roots. The chlorophyll, a green pigment found in plant cells, captures sunlight and uses its energy to break down water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. This process is known as photolysis.
The oxygen produced is then released into the atmosphere through the stomata, while the hydrogen is combined with carbon dioxide to create glucose, a type of sugar that serves as food for the plant. This whole process not only generates energy for the plant but is also crucial for life on Earth, as it produces the oxygen that many living organisms depend on for respiration.