Here's why:
* Photosynthesis: Plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce glucose (a sugar) and oxygen. This process is represented by the equation:
6CO₂ + 6H₂O + sunlight → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂
* Respiration: All living organisms, including plants, use oxygen to break down glucose, releasing energy for their functions. This process is represented by the equation:
C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + energy
As you can see, the oxygen produced during photosynthesis is used as a reactant in respiration. This forms a crucial cycle where plants produce the oxygen that animals need to breathe, and animals breathe out carbon dioxide that plants need for photosynthesis.
