Final answer:
Cyanobacteria conduct oxygenic photosynthesis using chlorophyll a and other pigments, producing oxygen and glucose from sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide, greatly contributing to the formation of Earth's atmosphere.
Step-by-step explanation:
- Cyanobacteria produce oxygen and convert sunlight to energy using photosynthesis. Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are photoautotrophic prokaryotes that are capable of conducting oxygenic photosynthesis, meaning they produce oxygen as a byproduct.
- These bacteria utilize chlorophyll a, phycocyanin, and cyanophycin to capture solar energy, and they convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose, which they use as food, and oxygen, which is released into the environment.
- Cyanobacteria played a significant role in the history of our planet by contributing to the formation of the earth's oxygen-rich atmosphere, which shaped the course of evolutionary history. They are found in a variety of environments, including terrestrial, marine, and freshwater ecosystems.