Genes as fossils: Researchers discover the DNA responsible for creating fossil-like molecules found in ancient rocks
Thursday, May 6, 2010 - 15:30
in Paleontology & Archaeology
When exactly did oxygen first appear in Earth's atmosphere? Although many physical and chemical processes are thought to be responsible for that profound transformation, scientists have tried to answer at least part of that question by looking for the origin of oxygenic photosynthesis -- the process that organisms use to split water to make oxygen -- in rocks that are billions of years old.