Oxigénszintézise

Oxigénszintézise is a Czech term that translates to "oxygen synthesis" in English. It refers to the process by which oxygen is created or produced. This can encompass several biological and chemical phenomena.

In biology, the most prominent example of oxygen synthesis is photosynthesis. This is the process used by plants, algae, and cyanobacteria to convert light energy into chemical energy, storing it in the form of glucose. A crucial byproduct of this reaction is oxygen, which is released into the atmosphere. The simplified equation for photosynthesis is 6CO2 + 6H2O + Light Energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2.

Chemically, oxygen synthesis can also refer to laboratory or industrial methods for producing oxygen gas. Electrolysis of water is a common method, where an electric current is passed through water, splitting it into hydrogen and oxygen gas. Another method is the decomposition of certain oxygen-containing compounds, such as potassium permanganate or hydrogen peroxide, when heated or catalyzed. In industrial settings, fractional distillation of liquid air is the primary method for obtaining large quantities of pure oxygen. This process separates the components of air based on their different boiling points. The term can also be used in contexts involving the generation of reactive oxygen species, which are molecules containing oxygen and having a high propensity to oxidize other compounds.