The colourless, odourless and tasteless gas (oxygenium, from oxys = pointed, sour) makes up 21% of the earth's atmosphere, together with nitrogen (78%) and carbon dioxide (0.04%). The name is actually incorrect because oxygen (instead of hydrogen) was previously thought to be responsible for the formation of acids. Oxygen is the main component of water and is also contained in numerous compounds in the earth's crust. At around 50%, it is the most abundant element on earth. It is released during photosynthesis in plants, which involves sunlight, water and carbon dioxide. Most aerobic organisms (humans, animals, plants, fungi and many bacteria) need oxygen to survive. In high concentrations, however, it is toxic to most living organisms. Oxygen is extremely reactive and bonds very quickly with most substances.
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