Cyanobacteria 2

(2018) - 40 min

Thanks to Cyanobacteria, we have air to breathe. Cyanobacteria have played an astoundingly fundamental role in shaping life on Earth today. Over a billion years ago, they caused the Great Oxygenation Event which created our oxygen-rich atmosphere and transformed the planet. Cyanobacteria are also believed to be the precursors responsible for photosynthesis and multicellularity as a whole. These photosynthesizing chains of bacteria are found in many environments, including freshwater ecosystems. Special thanks to Professor Jared Leadbetter at the California Institute of Technology for his invaluable assistance and expertise.