Biology: Life on Earth
Biology: Life on Earth
10th Edition
ISBN: 9780321729712
Author: Gerald Audesirk, Teresa Audesirk, Bruce E. Byers
Publisher: Benjamin Cummings
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Chapter 17, Problem 1FTB

Because there was no oxygen in the earliest atmosphere, the first cells must have derived energy by __________ metabolism of organic molecules. Oxygen was introduced into the atmosphere when some microbes developed the ability to __________ and released oxygen as a by-product. Oxygen was _________ to many of the earliest cells, but some cells evolved the ability to use oxygen in respiration, which provided far more.

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Summary Introduction

To review:

The given blank space in the statement, “because there was no oxygen in the earliest atmosphere, the first cells must have derived energy by _______________ metabolism of organic molecules. Oxygen was introduced into the atmosphere when some microbes developed the ability to ___________ and released oxygen as a byproduct. Oxygen was ___________ to many of the earliest cells, but some cells evolved the ability to use oxygen in ___________ respiration, which provided far more _______________.”

Introduction:

Oxygen is one of the most abundant elements on the earth. It is a major constituent of all the living organisms. The first cells found on the earth were prokaryotes, for example, cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). Its genetic material does not contain a nucleus. The origin of oxygen came into existence due to the evolution of prokaryotes.

Explanation of Solution

The evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis during the archean eon was one of the most important events in the history of life on Earth. The release of molecular oxygen by oxygenic Cyanobacteria had major consequence for the geochemistry of Earth’s surface as it involves the redox state changes which modified the bioavailability of redox sensitive metals such as iron, molybdenum, and copper. The first cells obtained energy by absorbing organic molecules from the environment because there was no oxygen present in the environment. The prokaryotes metabolized the organic molecules anaerobically.

When these microbes developed the ability to synthesize food in the presence of sunlight, it led to the release of oxygen as a byproduct and the use of carbon dioxide and water. This process is known as photosynthesis. Oxygen is also necessary for many cells because they perform aerobic respiration. In this process, more and efficient energy is obtained.

Conclusion

Because there was no oxygen in the earliest atmosphere, the first cells must have derived energy by anaerobic metabolism of organic molecules. Oxygen was introduced into the atmosphere when some microbes developed the ability to photosynthesis and released oxygen as a byproduct. Oxygen was harmful to many of the earliest cells, but some cells evolved the ability to use oxygen in aerobic respiration, which provided far more energy.

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