Photosynthesis: what color was its origin?
Recent studies using geological and molecular phylogenetic evidence suggest several alternative evolutionary scenarios for the origin of photosynthesis. The earliest photosynthetic group is variously thought to be heliobacteria, proteobacteria or a precursor of cyanobacteria, organisms whose photosynthetic pigments make them different colors.
Xiong
Jin
J
Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA. jxiong@mail.bio.tamu.edu
D005075:Biological Evolution; D003116:Color; D055593:Geological Phenomena; D005844:Geology; D010788:Photosynthesis; D010802:Phylogeny; D010860:Pigments, Biological
D010860:Pigments, Biological