Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Oxygen is a chemical element with symbol O and atomic number 8. It's essential for life on Earth because it's part of water molecules and used by cells for respiration process.
Related terms
Oxidation Reaction: A reaction where atoms lose electrons or gain oxygen atoms.