answersLogoWhite

0

These guys invented photosynthesis, the important part of which is not the green bit, but the ability to split water into H and O2, thus being able to combine this into complex molecules. They oxidized the atmosphere, thus scavenging the methane and CO2 and releasing O2. This reverse greenhouse effect put the Earth into a 'snowball Earth' for a billion years or so, but the volcanoes still produced CO2 etc, and eventually the earth warmed to the pre-Cambrian. Possibly the green algae are the ancestors of the green plants we love.

Before them, the oceans were iron enriched - in solution -, and the oxygen precipitated this out as the banded iron formations of importance to industry today. Whether this is the origin of oil is debated.

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Biology

What is stromalitic cyanobacteria?

Stromatolitic cyanobacteria are photosynthetic bacteria that form layered structures known as stromatolites. These structures are created when cyanobacteria bind and trap sediment particles, which then calcify and harden over time. Stromatolites are some of the oldest known fossils on Earth, providing valuable insights into early life forms and Earth's history.


What is the difference between archaebacteria and cyanobacteria?

Archaebacteria are ancient prokaryotic organisms that can survive in extreme environments, while cyanobacteria are photosynthetic prokaryotes that produce oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis. Archaebacteria are more closely related to eukaryotes, while cyanobacteria are responsible for the oxygenation of Earth's early atmosphere.


Which sequence correctly represents the evolution of life on earth?

Prokaryotes -> Cyanobacteria -> Eukaryotes -> Multicellular organisms Prokaryotes -> Multicellular organisms -> Eukaryotes -> Cyanobacteria Cyanobacteria -> Prokaryotes -> Eukaryotes -> Multicellular organisms The correct sequence is option 1: Prokaryotes -> Cyanobacteria -> Eukaryotes -> Multicellular organisms. These groups represent a general order of the evolution of life on Earth, starting with simple prokaryotic organisms and culminating in more complex multicellular organisms.


What did precambrian cyanobacteria do?

Precambrian cyanobacteria played a crucial role in the oxygenation of Earth's atmosphere through photosynthesis, which eventually led to the Great Oxidation Event. This event dramatically changed the composition of the atmosphere and paved the way for the evolution of aerobic organisms. Additionally, cyanobacteria contributed to the formation of stromatolites, which are some of the earliest known evidence of life on Earth.


What prokaryotic cells that were the first to add significant quantities of oxygen to Earth's atmosphere are classified as?

Prokaryotic cells that were the first to add significant quantities of oxygen to Earth's atmosphere are classified as cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic bacteria that played a crucial role in the Great Oxidation Event, releasing oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis. Their activity contributed to the oxygenation of Earth's atmosphere and paved the way for the evolution of aerobic life forms.

Related Questions

What is hypothesized to be the early source of free oxygen in Earth's atmosphere?

cyanobacteria


Hypothesized to be the early source of free oxygen in Earth's atmosphere?

Cyanobacteria are hypothesized to be the early source of free oxygen in Earth's atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis. They evolved around 2.7 billion years ago and played a key role in the Great Oxidation Event, gradually increasing the levels of oxygen in the atmosphere.


Where did the molecular oxygen in the Earth's atmosphere originate from?

The molecular oxygen in Earth's atmosphere originated from photosynthesis by early microorganisms, primarily cyanobacteria, around 2.5 billion years ago.


What is stromalitic cyanobacteria?

Stromatolitic cyanobacteria are photosynthetic bacteria that form layered structures known as stromatolites. These structures are created when cyanobacteria bind and trap sediment particles, which then calcify and harden over time. Stromatolites are some of the oldest known fossils on Earth, providing valuable insights into early life forms and Earth's history.


What molecule was not present in early Earths reducing atmosphere?

Oxygen (O2) was not present in early Earth's reducing atmosphere. It only became abundant in the atmosphere due to the photosynthetic activity of cyanobacteria and other early organisms.


How did bacteria change early earths atmosphere?

Earth's early atmosphere was primarily composed of carbon dioxide. Early bacteria used carbon dioxide as a source of fuel and as a result produced oxygen.


Among the earliest life forms on earth?

Cyanobacteria


Among the earliest life-forms on Earth?

cyanobacteria


What effect did photosynthetic cyanobacteria have on earth's environment?

Photosynthetic cyanobacteria were the first organisms to produce oxygen. The effect of their oxygen production was that the earth became an environment which was suitable for life.


What was the first organism to add oxygen to the earth?

Cyanobacteria, which are sometimes incorrectly called blue-green algae, were the first organisms to add oxygen to early Earth. Blue-green algae are eukaryotes while cyanobacteria are the much earlier prokaryotes.


Cyanobacteria are important to the evolution and advancements of other life on Earth why?

Because they were the first steps to life on earth


What is the age of the oldest cyanobacteria fossil found?

The oldest cyanobacteria fossil found is about 3.5 billion years old, known as the Apex chert fossils from Australia. These fossils provide evidence of the early existence of cyanobacteria, which played a significant role in shaping the Earth's atmosphere and environment.