Overview
The Great Oxygenation Event, occurring around 2.4 billion years ago, marked a pivotal moment in Earth's history when cyanobacteria began producing significant amounts of oxygen through photosynthesis. This increase in atmospheric oxygen transformed the planet, leading to the formation of the ozone l...
Key Terms
Example: Plants convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis.
Example: Cyanobacteria are often found in aquatic environments.
Example: Humans breathe in oxygen to survive.
Example: The Great Permian Extinction was one of the largest mass extinctions.
Example: Humans and most animals are aerobic organisms.
Example: Earth's atmosphere is composed mainly of nitrogen and oxygen.
Related Topics
Photosynthesis
The process by which plants convert sunlight into energy, crucial for life on Earth.
beginnerEvolution of Life
The study of how life on Earth has changed and diversified over time.
intermediateEarth's Early Atmosphere
Exploration of the composition and changes in Earth's atmosphere before and after the Great Oxygenation Event.
intermediateImpact of Climate Change
Understanding how changes in the atmosphere affect climate and life on Earth.
advancedKey Concepts
photosynthesiscyanobacteriaatmospheric changesmass extinction