How living organisms changed the environment | AQA A Level Environmental Science Revision
Primrose Kitten Academy | GCSE & A-Level Revision・4 minutes read
Photosynthetic bacteria, specifically cyanobacteria, were crucial in increasing oxygen levels in the ocean, leading to the evolution of aerobic organisms. Living organisms, through processes like photosynthesis and transpiration, play a vital role in maintaining biogeochemical cycles and contributing to the water cycle.
Insights
- Cyanobacteria were pivotal in releasing oxygen into the ocean, kickstarting the evolution of aerobic organisms and the formation of the ozone layer, which shields Earth from harmful UV radiation.
- Living organisms, by engaging in photosynthesis and transpiration, actively regulate carbon levels, nutrient cycles, and water distribution, impacting global ecosystems and sustaining life on Earth.
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Recent questions
How did cyanobacteria impact oxygen levels?
They released diatomic oxygen into the ocean.
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Summary
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"Organisms' crucial role in Earth's ecosystems"
- Photosynthetic bacteria, specifically cyanobacteria, were the first organisms to release diatomic oxygen into the ocean, leading to the formation of iron oxide structures and the increase of oxygen concentration in the water, enabling the evolution of aerobic organisms and the formation of the ozone layer crucial for reducing harmful UV radiation reaching Earth's surface.
- Living organisms, through processes like photosynthesis and transpiration, play a vital role in sequestering carbon, reducing CO2 levels in the atmosphere, maintaining biogeochemical cycles that recycle essential nutrients, and contributing to the water cycle by releasing water vapor, promoting rainfall, and supporting plant survival.
