Video Lessons
How A Single-Celled Organism Almost Wiped Out Life On Earth
Cyanobacteria, a simple single-celled organism, played a pivotal role in shaping the Earth’s atmosphere and paving the way for complex life. Through photosynthesis, cyanobacteria produced oxygen, leading to a mass extinction event and the oxygenation of the atmosphere. This eventually led to the evolution of aerobic organisms and the diversification of life on Earth. Additionally, cyanobacteria played a crucial role in the evolution of plant cells through endosymbiosis. Today, cyanobacteria continue to be present in various environments and are essential for maintaining the balance of oxygen and nitrogen in the atmosphere.