How did Earth develop an oxygen-rich atmosphere?Question 58Select one:Photosynthesis by algae released oxygen, which accumulated gradually.The Earth was bombarded by oxygen-rich comets which also filled the oceans with water.Sunlight broke water down to form oxygen and hydrogen.The weathering of rocks released oxygen in the rock cycle.
Question
How did Earth develop an oxygen-rich atmosphere?Question 58Select one:Photosynthesis by algae released oxygen, which accumulated gradually.The Earth was bombarded by oxygen-rich comets which also filled the oceans with water.Sunlight broke water down to form oxygen and hydrogen.The weathering of rocks released oxygen in the rock cycle.
Solution
The Earth developed an oxygen-rich atmosphere primarily through the process of photosynthesis. Here's a step-by-step explanation:
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Around 2.5 billion years ago, the first photosynthetic organisms, likely cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), evolved in Earth's oceans.
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These organisms used sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide into glucose (a type of sugar that they used for energy) and oxygen. This process is known as photosynthesis.
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The oxygen produced by these organisms began to accumulate in the Earth's atmosphere. Initially, much of this oxygen was used up in chemical reactions with other substances, such as iron, which resulted in the formation of iron oxide (rust).
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Over time, as these oxygen-consuming substances became saturated, more and more oxygen was able to accumulate in the atmosphere.
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Eventually, the levels of oxygen in the atmosphere increased to the point where it could support the evolution of more complex, oxygen-breathing life forms.
So, the correct answer to your question is: "Photosynthesis by algae released oxygen, which accumulated gradually."
Similar Questions
The main process for creating oxygen in the atmosphere was: A- photosynthesis by cyanobacteria B- meteorite impacts C- breakdown of water vapor by ultraviolet radiation D- outgassing during volcanic eruptions
How did Earth's atmosphere become oxygen-rich?A.Biological activityB.Volcanic outgassingC.Ozone depletionD.Tectonic movementSUBMITarrow_backPREVIOUS
(Q002) The Earth's atmosphere began as nitrogen and oxygen, left over from the solar nebula. acquires its carbon dioxide from photosynthesis by green plants. gets warmer as its carbon dioxide concentration goes down. became more oxygen-rich during the Proterozoic, after the evolution of photosynthetic organisms in the Archean
(Q008) The great oxygenation event, which added abundant oxygen to the atmosphere beginning about 2.4 Ga, was due to theGroup of answer choicesappearance of Ediacaran fauna.evolution of photosynthetic organisms in oceans.emergence of multicellular organisms.appearance of photosynthetic plants on land.
Which gas formed a major part of the early atmosphere?Carbon dioxideNitrogenMethaneAmmonia2The early atmosphere contained a large amount of water vapour. What happened to this?It condensed to form the oceansIt evaporated into spaceIt was used by plants for photosynthesisIt was used by animals for respiration3Which process has reduced the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to the low levels we have today?Formation of sedimentary rocksAll of theseFormation of fossil fuelsPhotosynthesis4The levels of methane and ammonia in the early atmosphere decreased over time, while the level of nitrogen increased. What is the best explanation for this?Human activities such as burning of fossil fuels and farmingMethane and ammonia are unreactive, while nitrogen reacts with oxygenMethane and ammonia react with oxygen, while nitrogen is unreactivePlants absorb methane and ammonia, and they produce nitrogen5Which two gases together form approximately 99% of the modern atmosphere?Nitrogen and oxygenNitrogen and hydrogenOxygen and hydrogenOxygen and carbon dioxide6Approximately what percentage of carbon dioxide is found in the modern atmosphere?0.9%0.004%1%0.04%
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