Question

Describe the organism that scientists believe was responsible for changing the composition of the early atmosphere. What is it called and how did it change the atmosphere? Why was this change to the atmosphere so important?

Answer 1

Bacteria is the organism that scientists believe was responsible for changing the composition of the early atmosphere. It changed the atmosphere by using energy from the Sun for photosynthesis, and released oxygen as a byproduct. The change on the atmosphere was so important because it added more oxygen to our atmosphere, which brings us to our current atmosphere composition of 21% oxygen and 78% nitrogen.

Answer 2

Scientist believe that organisms known as cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae are responsible for changing the composition of the early atmosphere. These microbes conducted photosynthesis: using sunshine, water and carbon dioxide to produce carbohydrates and the what's most important : oxygen. These ancient organisms produced oxygen becoming a significant component of Earth's atmosphere. That is the reason why change is so important.