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The rainforest's
biggest attribute is the huge amount of biodiversity. The
rainforest is house to critters and plants alike. But the
rainforest affects much more than the animals that live within
it.
In recent years,
important discoveries have been made in the Amazon regarding
medicine. Many botanists and biologists have discovered
plants from which certain chemicals can be derived. These
chemicals, in turn, can be used to treat certain illnesses such as diarrhea, digestive problems and
even cancer.
Another great
contribution of the rainforest is oxygen. During photosynthesis
(converting energy from sunlight into energy the plant can use
such as glucose), plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.
The Amazon acts as a giant vacuum. It cleanses the air
of carbon dioxide, something our bodies breathe out, and releases
oxygen. It is estimated that the Amazon Rainforest accounts
for 20 percent of the oxygen in earth's atmosphere. |