What is Oxygen? Importance of Oxygen

Oxygen is one of the most important elements on Earth. Without it, living things wouldn’t be able to survive. But have you ever asked yourself: What is oxygen? Why do living things need it? And what makes it so special? This blog will answer all these questions in a way that is easy to understand.

What is Oxygen?

Oxygen is a chemical element represented by the symbol O in the periodic table. It has the atomic number 8, which means it contains eight protons. It is a colourless, tasteless, and odourless gas at room temperature. 

In nature, it usually exists as a molecule called O₂, which means two oxygen atoms are joined together. Oxygen is the third most abundant element in the universe, after hydrogen and helium. It is the most common element in Earth’s crust and a big part of the air we breathe.

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A Brief Overview of the Element ‘Oxygen’

The table below gives a short overview of the oxygen element, including its name, symbol, atomic number, and other key details. These facts make it easier to see why oxygen is so important in science and everyday life.

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Who Discovered Oxygen?

Oxygen was discovered in the 18th century. There were three scientists who played a major role in its discovery:

1. Carl Wilhelm Scheele from Sweden

2. Joseph Priestley from England

3. Antoine Lavoisier from France

Scheele discovered it first in 1772, but Priestley published his findings in 1774. Lavoisier later explained how oxygen supported combustion and named it "oxygen," which means "acid-former" in Greek.

So, while several scientists helped in discovering oxygen, Joseph Priestley is most commonly credited when people ask, "who discovered oxygen?

Oxygen Formula and Structure

The oxygen formula for the gas we breathe is O₂. This means two atoms of oxygen are bonded together to form one molecule of oxygen gas.

In water (H₂O), each molecule contains one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms. So, oxygen is a part of many important compounds, not just in the air but also in water and living tissues.

In chemistry, we study how this bonding helps oxygen react with other substances. For example, when oxygen reacts with iron, it forms rust. When it reacts with carbon in our body, it helps release energy.

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Oxygen Important Facts 

Here are some useful oxygen facts that every student should remember:

• Oxygen makes up about 21% of the Earth’s atmosphere.

• It is the most abundant element in the Earth’s crust.

• Plants produce oxygen through a process called photosynthesis.

• The human body uses oxygen to turn food into energy.

• Oxygen is essential for all aerobic organisms (organisms that need air to live).

These oxygen facts show how important it is not only for breathing but for many other processes that support life on Earth.

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Why is Oxygen Important for Life?

Now let’s talk about the importance of oxygen.

1. Breathing and Respiration

We all need oxygen to live. When we breathe in, our lungs absorb oxygen from the air. This oxygen then travels through our bloodstream to every cell in our body. Cells use oxygen to release energy from food. This process is called cellular respiration.

Without oxygen, our cells would not be able to function, and we would not survive. That’s why oxygen is often given to patients who are very sick or have trouble breathing.

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2. Brain Function

The brain needs a lot of oxygen to work properly. Even though it makes up only about 2% of our body weight, it uses 20% of the oxygen we breathe. A lack of oxygen can cause dizziness, confusion, or even permanent damage.

3. Combustion and Fire

Oxygen is needed for fire to burn. Without oxygen, a fire cannot continue. Fire extinguishers work by blocking oxygen from reaching the flames. When the supply of oxygen is cut off, the fire stops. This shows how important oxygen is in the process of burning.

4. Support for Aquatic Life

Oxygen is also found in water in a form that fish and other sea animals can use. They absorb this dissolved oxygen through their gills. If there is not enough oxygen in the water, these animals cannot survive. Water life depends on a steady amount of oxygen to survive.

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The Role of Oxygen in the Environment

Plants play a very important role in producing oxygen. Through photosynthesis, green plants and algae take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. This process happens during daylight when sunlight is available.

Most of the oxygen in the atmosphere comes from tiny plants in the ocean called phytoplankton. These little organisms produce about 70–90% of the Earth’s oxygen! This natural oxygen cycle keeps the balance of gases in our atmosphere and helps all living things survive.

Is More Oxygen Always Better?

We often believe that more oxygen is always a good thing. While oxygen is essential for life, having too much can actually be harmful.

Our bodies are designed to use a specific amount of oxygen. When we breathe in, our lungs take in oxygen and send it to the bloodstream. From there, oxygen travels to all parts of the body where it helps create energy from the food we eat.

But breathing pure oxygen for a long time can cause health problems. It can irritate the lungs and even damage their delicate tissues. Too much oxygen can also affect the brain and lead to symptoms like headaches or confusion.

This is why doctors carefully control how much oxygen they give to patients in hospitals. They make sure it is enough to help the body but not so much that it causes harm.

On the other hand, getting too little oxygen is also dangerous. Without enough oxygen, our organs and brain cannot work properly, and this can be life-threatening.

The key is balance. Our bodies need the right amount of oxygen to stay healthy. Not too much and not too little.

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