The primary byproduct of photosynthesis is oxygen. During this process, green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose, a form of stored energy, while releasing oxygen into the atmosphere as a waste product. This oxygen is essential for the survival of aerobic organisms, including humans, who rely on it for respiration. Photosynthesis is a crucial process in maintaining the balance of gases in the atmosphere and is foundational for life on Earth, providing both energy and oxygen necessary for diverse biological processes.