Evolution of Photosynthesis - Were Anoxygenic or Oxygenic Phototrophs First?

Explore the fascinating evolution of photosynthesis in this 23-minute video lecture. Delve into the origins of the first photosynthesizing organisms and their development of light-to-energy conversion abilities. Learn about light-absorbing pigments like bacteriorhodopsin, bacteriochlorophyll, and chlorophyll, and understand the crucial differences between oxygenic and anoxygenic photosynthesis. Discover how the emergence of oxygenic photosynthesis revolutionized Earth's environment. Examine topics such as early phototroph evolution, electron transport chains, lateral gene transfer, and the formation of phototroph mats. Investigate the role of UV light protection and the eventual rise of cyanobacteria as the first oxygenic phototrophs. Consider the long-term effects of Earth's oxidation and its impact on early life forms.

Plants aren’t the only phototrophs
Oxygenic vs Anoxygenic phototrophs
Importance of light as an energy source
Early phototrophs evolved heat-sensing ability
Electron transport chain
Were the first phototrophs Bacteria or Archaea?
Lateral gene transfer
Purple Bacteria
Green S Bacteria
Early phototrophs grew together as mats
UV light protection
First oxygenic phototrophs cyanobacteria
Phototrophs could finally expand!
Why’d it take so long Earth to oxidize?
Why did O2 cause major extinctions?
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