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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 17, 2026

Anaerobic Protein Purification and Kinetic Analysis via Oxygen Electrode for Studying DesB Dioxygenase Activity and Inhibition

Anaerobic Protein Purification and Kinetic Analysis via Oxygen Electrode for Studying DesB Dioxygenase Activity and Inhibition

Published on: October 3, 2018

The magic of dioxygen.

Martha E Sosa Torres¹, Juan P Saucedo-Vázquez, Peter M H Kroneck

¹Departamento de Química Inorgánica y Nuclear, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, México, D.F., 04510, México, mest@unam.mx.

Metal Ions in Life Sciences

|February 25, 2015

Summary

Oxygen (O2) is vital for life, enabling energy conservation in aerobic organisms. Its discovery is credited to Scheele, Priestley, and Lavoisier, with oxygen

Area of Science:

Chemistry
Biology
Earth Science

Background:

Oxygen (O2) is a crucial element for life on Earth.
Historical debate surrounds the discovery of oxygen, with credit shared among Scheele, Priestley, and Lavoisier.
Molecular oxygen is essential for energy production in aerobic organisms.

Purpose of the Study:

To clarify the historical discovery of oxygen.
To explain the biological significance of oxygen for aerobic life.
To highlight the chemical properties and importance of oxygen and its compounds, like water.

Main Methods:

Historical analysis of scientific contributions.
Explanation of biological requirements for oxygen.
Chemical properties of oxygen and its role in forming oxides and water.

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Light-driven Enzymatic Decarboxylation

Light-driven Enzymatic Decarboxylation

Published on: May 22, 2016

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Anaerobic Protein Purification and Kinetic Analysis via Oxygen Electrode for Studying DesB Dioxygenase Activity and Inhibition

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Published on: October 3, 2018

Expression and Purification of Nuclease-Free Oxygen Scavenger Protocatechuate 3,4-Dioxygenase

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Light-driven Enzymatic Decarboxylation

Light-driven Enzymatic Decarboxylation

Published on: May 22, 2016

Main Results:

Carl Wilhelm Scheele discovered oxygen (fire air) in 1772.
Joseph Priestley first published findings on oxygen (dephlogisticated air) in 1775.
Antoine Lavoisier first understood oxygen's properties and role between 1775-1778.

Conclusions:

Oxygen's discovery involved multiple scientists, with Scheele, Priestley, and Lavoisier each contributing significantly.
Molecular oxygen (O2) is indispensable for aerobic organisms, including humans, animals, and plants.
Oxygen's chemical reactivity and role in forming water (H2O) underscore its fundamental importance in biology and Earth's climate.