The most abundant gas in the atmosphere is nitrogen, making up about 78% of the air we breathe.
While we often think of oxygen as the most important gas for life, nitrogen is actually more abundant. It plays a crucial role in the growth of plants and animals, and it is essential for the formation of proteins and DNA.
Oxygen comes in second, making up about 21% of the atmosphere. It is essential for respiration, the process by which living organisms use energy from food.
The remaining 1% of the atmosphere is made up of other gases, including argon, carbon dioxide, neon, helium, and methane.
