BIOL 1520 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Archaea, Nitrogen Cycle, Biofilm
Document Summary
Explain evidence (fossil and molecular) for milestones in history of major forms of life (bacteria, archaea, eukarya, plants, animals, and fungi) Relate the milestones of the evolution of major life forms to earth"s geological timeline. Describe the process of oxygenation of earth"s atmosphere. Describe the evidence of underlying the relationships between bacteria, Archaea, and eukaryota in the modern tree of life. Describe the importance of prokaryotes with respect to human health and environmental processes. Many essential substances like carbon and nitrogen cycle due to prokaryotes. Drive evolution of new ecosystems, been on earth long before multicellular life. 4. 5 billion years old age of earth. Different atmosphere (less oxygen, subjected to strong, mutagenic radiation) First organisms flourished in ocean depths or beneath earth"s surface; developed and quickly adapted to harsh conditions. Microbial mat: a large biofilm, may represent earliest forms of life on earth; multi-layered sheet of prokaryotes that includes mostly bacteria; few centimeters thick, tend to grow on moist surfaces.
