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Hydrogen peroxide and the evolution of oxygenic photosynthesisPossible pathways for the evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis in the early reducing atmosphere of the earth are discussed. It is suggested that the abiotic production of atmospheric oxidants could have provided a mechanism by which locally oxidizing conditions were sustained within spatially confined habitats thus removing the available reductants and forcing photosynthetic organisms to utilize water (rather than ferrous or sulfide ions) as the electron donor. It is argued that atmospheric H2O2 played the key role in inducing oxygenic photosynthesis, because, as peroxide concentrations local environments increased, primitive organisms would not only be faced with a loss of a reductant, but would be also forced to develop a biochemical apparatus (such as catalase) that would protect them against the products of oxygenic photosynthesis. This scenario allows for the early evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis at the time when global conditions were still anaerobic.
Document ID
19920039483
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Mckay, C. P.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Hartman, H.
(California, University Berkeley, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: Origins of Life and Evolution of the Biosphere
Volume: 21
Issue: 3, 19
ISSN: 0169-6149
Subject Category
Space Biology
Accession Number
92A22107
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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