What role do stars play in relation to hydrogen and heavier elements across the galaxy?

Answer

They burn hydrogen and scatter resulting heavier elements when they die.

Stars act as cosmic recyclers by converting the common element hydrogen into heavier elements through fusion, which are then distributed throughout the galaxy upon stellar death, enriching future stellar nurseries.

What role do stars play in relation to hydrogen and heavier elements across the galaxy?
ElementastronomyuniversehydrogenstarscosmologyElements