The first cells evolved in an atmosphere that lacked free _____________. Their metabolism resulted in the accumulation of ________________ in the atmosphere. Fill in the blanks.
oxygen, oxygen. The process by which this occurred is highly speculative.
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The first cells evolved in an atmosphere that lacked free oxygen. Their metabolism resulted in the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
To find the answer to this question, one can start by understanding the conditions under which the first cells evolved. In this case, it is known that the first cells appeared billions of years ago when the Earth's atmosphere was very different from what it is today. By studying scientific literature and research on early Earth and the origins of life, one can find information about the composition of the primordial atmosphere.
In this specific case, it is widely accepted that the early Earth's atmosphere lacked free oxygen. This conclusion is based on various scientific studies and geological evidence. The absence of free oxygen in the atmosphere during that time is known as the "oxygen-free" or "anoxic" atmosphere.
The second part of the question involves understanding the metabolism of the early cells and its impact on the atmosphere. Early cells relied on anaerobic metabolic pathways, which do not require the presence of oxygen. During these metabolic processes, the cells produced metabolic byproducts, including carbon dioxide.
By understanding the evolutionary conditions and the metabolic processes of early cells, we can fill in the blanks and conclude that the first cells evolved in an atmosphere that lacked free oxygen, and their metabolism resulted in the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.