Why are iron oxides in rocks evidence for prehistoric photosynthesis?(1 point)

Responses

Iron oxides form when cyanobacteria produce oxygen via photosynthesis.
Iron oxides form when cyanobacteria produce oxygen via photosynthesis.

Iron oxides form when oxygen, a product of photosynthesis, is in the atmosphere.
Iron oxides form when oxygen, a product of photosynthesis, is in the atmosphere.

Iron oxides form when carbon dioxide, a reactant of photosynthesis, is in the atmosphere.
Iron oxides form when carbon dioxide, a reactant of photosynthesis, is in the atmosphere.

Iron oxides form when cyanobacteria use carbon dioxide for photosynthesis.
Iron oxides form when cyanobacteria use carbon dioxide for photosynthesis.

1 answer

The correct response is:

Iron oxides form when oxygen, a product of photosynthesis, is in the atmosphere.

This is because iron oxides in rocks indicate that oxygen was present in the environment, which is a byproduct of photosynthesis performed by cyanobacteria and other photosynthetic organisms.