Oxygen is the primary life-giving gas. While other gases like carbon dioxide play crucial roles in life processes, oxygen is essential for respiration in most living organisms.
The Importance of Oxygen
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Respiration: Oxygen is vital for aerobic respiration, the process by which cells convert energy from food. [This is explicitly stated in the BYJU'S reference: "Hence, Oxygen is a life-supporting gas as it is necessary for respiration."] Without oxygen, cells cannot efficiently produce the energy needed for life.
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Other Biological Processes: Oxygen is also involved in numerous other biological processes, contributing to the overall health and function of living organisms.
Other Gases and Their Roles
While oxygen is the primary life-giving gas, other gases play important supporting roles:
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Carbon Dioxide: Although vital for photosynthesis in plants, carbon dioxide is not directly used by animals for respiration. The riddle mentioned in the provided links refers to this distinction: it has twice the life-giving gas (referencing the two oxygen atoms in CO2) but doesn't directly give life to animals.
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Carbon: As noted in several references, carbon is a fundamental building block of life, forming the basis of organic molecules. Its origins and importance are highlighted in references discussing its formation in stars and its role in the formation of Earth.
The atmosphere itself is described as a life-giving layer of gases, though oxygen is its most crucial component for animal life.
