How do trees make oxygen?

Trees, like other plants, produce oxygen through a process called photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, trees and plants convert sunlight, carbon dioxide (CO2), and water (H2O) into glucose (a type of sugar) and oxygen (O2). This process can be summarized by the following equation:

6CO2 + 6H2O + sunlight → C6H12O6 (glucose) + 6O2 (oxygen)

Photosynthesis occurs primarily in the leaves of trees, where specialized cells called chloroplasts contain chlorophyll, a green pigment that absorbs sunlight. When sunlight is absorbed, it energizes the electrons in chlorophyll, initiating a series of chemical reactions that ultimately produce glucose and oxygen.

The glucose produced during photosynthesis is used by trees as an energy source for growth, reproduction, and other vital functions. The oxygen, a byproduct of the process, is released into the atmosphere through small openings called stomata found on the surface of leaves. This release of oxygen by trees and other plants is essential for the survival of aerobic organisms, including humans and animals, who depend on oxygen for respiration.