Final answer:
Oxygen is produced during photosynthesis when water molecules are split apart in a process that converts light energy, CO₂, and H₂O into glucose and oxygen. This oxygen is released through the plant's stomata and is vital for animal respiration and maintaining atmospheric oxygen.
Step-by-step explanation:
Oxygen is produced during the process of photosynthesis in plants. This vital process involves light energy being absorbed by chlorophyll, which triggers a series of reactions that convert carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O) into glucose (a sugar) and oxygen. Specifically, water molecules are split apart, releasing oxygen as a byproduct that plants then release into the atmosphere through openings called stomata. As a result, photosynthesis not only provides the necessary carbohydrates that act as energy sources for plants but also produces the oxygen that animals require for survival. The overall chemical equation for photosynthesis is:
6CO₂(g) + 6H₂O(l) + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆(s) + 6O₂(g)
The oxygen generated during photosynthesis is essential for animal life and maintains atmospheric oxygen levels.