To explain life on earth, from photosynthesis It must be mentioned. This process, in which plants and some other life forms produce oxygen by using carbon dioxide and solar energy in the atmosphere, is key to the emergence of the species we know today. In a new study, the oldest fossil yet discovered related to photosynthesis was found. This fossil is 1.75 billion years old.

Researchers discovered 1.75 billion years old These structures belong to a species whose scientific name is Navifusa majensis. Scientists think this species is a type of cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria are a type of bacteria that break down water into ions and produce oxygen during photosynthesis. They live in rocks and water all over the world, especially in humid areas. The fossils found by the researchers were located in northern Australia.

The oldest known photosynthetic structure

The detection of this age-old bacterium one of the most fundamental processes of life on Earth It will provide scientists with new information about how it originated. It will therefore be possible to verify or falsify the developed theories.

According to theories, the beginning of photosynthesis 2.7 billion to 2 billion It starts about a year ago. To carry out photosynthesis, bacteria must have a membrane system called a thylakoid. This structure is aligned with the main axis of the organelle called chloroplast, which makes photosynthesis possible. Thanks to the fossils found, the details of this process will be understood more clearly and the evolutionary mechanisms that gave rise to chloroplasts will be explored in more detail.