Biology: How Life Works
Biology: How Life Works
3rd Edition
ISBN: 9781319017637
Author: James Morris, Daniel Hartl, Andrew Knoll, Melissa Michael, Robert Lue, Andrew Berry, Andrew Biewener, Brian Farrell, N. Michele Holbrook
Publisher: Macmillan Higher Education
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Chapter 24.6, Problem 13SAQ
Summary Introduction

To state:

The age and time of Earth when life is thought to have first originated.

Introduction:

Life on Earth was evolved about 3.5 billion years ago, the oxygen was evolved later before the life came into existence and this was possible because of the anaerobic bacteria.

Expert Solution & Answer
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Explanation of Solution

Earth is about 4.6 billion years of age. There are some sedimentary rocks that have survived in the destruction during geological processes. These sedimentary rocks in Western Australia and South Africa had some records about the history of Earth. These records in the sedimentary rocks are known as fossils. The evidence of life in early oceans is provided by the stromalites which are the ancient rocks similar to the modern structures.

These modern structures are formed by the microbial groups. By comparing the sedimentary rocks with modern structures, it is proved that life came into existence about 3.5 billion years ago. The evidences show the early atmosphere and oceans contain little or no free oxygen. The accumulation of oxygen in the atmosphere came into existence about 2.4 billion years ago. The presence of oxygen made aerobic respiration possible on Earth.

Conclusion

The evidences from sedimentary rocks are compared with the modern structures that indicate about the life on Earth.

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