Question
How did the production of oxygen by photosynthesis impact the development of the atmosphere?
(1 point)
• It increased the level of oxygen in the air.
• It caused the evolution of prokaryotes into eukaryotes.
• It caused water to become habitable for organisms that need oxygen.
• It reacted with iron in rocks to produce iron oxide.
(1 point)
• It increased the level of oxygen in the air.
• It caused the evolution of prokaryotes into eukaryotes.
• It caused water to become habitable for organisms that need oxygen.
• It reacted with iron in rocks to produce iron oxide.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The correct answer is: **It increased the level of oxygen in the air.**
The production of oxygen by photosynthesis, particularly by cyanobacteria, significantly increased the levels of oxygen in Earth's atmosphere, leading to the Great Oxygenation Event. This increase in atmospheric oxygen allowed for the evolution of aerobic (oxygen-dependent) organisms and had profound effects on the planet's geology and biology.
The production of oxygen by photosynthesis, particularly by cyanobacteria, significantly increased the levels of oxygen in Earth's atmosphere, leading to the Great Oxygenation Event. This increase in atmospheric oxygen allowed for the evolution of aerobic (oxygen-dependent) organisms and had profound effects on the planet's geology and biology.