Practice question · Sort into groups
Sort each consequence by whether the Great Oxidation Event caused it directly.
Groups: Direct consequence · Not a consequence of oxygenation
- Banded iron formations are deposited
- Aerobic respiration becomes possible
- The genetic code becomes a triplet code
- Formation of the ozone layer
- Mass extinction of obligate anaerobes
Hints
- Oxygen is chemically reactive, so it affected both life and rock.
- The structure of the genetic code was fixed long before oxygen accumulated.
Show the answer
Direct consequence: Mass extinction of obligate anaerobes, Formation of the ozone layer, Aerobic respiration becomes possible, Banded iron formations are deposited
Not a consequence of oxygenation: The genetic code becomes a triplet code
Why
Free oxygen poisoned anaerobes, oxidised dissolved iron into the banded formations, formed ozone, and opened the aerobic route. The triplet code was established far earlier and has nothing to do with atmospheric chemistry.
Practise Photosynthesis and the Oxygen Revolution
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