Chapter 24.1, Problem 3CC

Summary Introduction

To describe:

The evidence of the formation of fossils in early prokaryotes and how they altered Earth’s atmosphere.

Concept introduction:

The evidence for the formation of fossils of early prokaryotes was found in Australia and South Africa. The fossils of the micro-organisms resembled in morphology with the Cyanobacteria containing the green pigment chlorophyll. The earth’s atmosphere was altered as these organisms consumed carbon dioxide and liberated oxygen in the atmosphere leading to the increase in the concentration of this gas.