Final answer:
Photosynthesis produces oxygen in the light-dependent reactions by splitting water. This process happens inside the chloroplasts and is essential for producing the oxygen that animals breathe and use for respiration.
Step-by-step explanation:
Oxygen is produced in the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis by the splitting of water molecules. These reactions occur in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where they utilize sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen. The light-dependent reactions harness solar energy to create ATP and NADPH, which are then used in the Calvin cycle to produce energy-storing carbohydrate molecules. It's essential to note that oxygen serves as a waste product of photosynthesis and is crucial for sustaining life on Earth as it is released into the atmosphere.
The photosynthesis process culminates in the creation of glucose and oxygen. Glucose is a simple sugar that can combine with other glucose molecules to form complex carbohydrates such as starch, which plants can store and use as energy. Oxygen is essential for animals, including humans, as it is utilized for respiration. Without plants and other photosynthetic organisms, the atmospheric oxygen levels would not support life as we know it.