Why was the oxygen generated by photosynthesis initially harmful to early organisms? Enhanced mutation rates Toxic to organisms not adapted to it Caused cell dehydration Caused cells to burst

## Step 1<br />Photosynthesis is a process used by plants and other organisms to convert light energy, usually from the sun, into chemical energy that can be later released to fuel the organisms' activities. This process produces oxygen as a byproduct.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />The oxygen produced by photosynthesis was initially harmful to early organisms because it was toxic to them. These early organisms were anaerobic, meaning they did not require oxygen for their metabolic processes.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />The oxygen produced by photosynthesis was toxic to these anaerobic organisms because it was a strong oxidizing agent. This means it could easily react with organic molecules, leading to cell damage and death.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />The oxygen produced by photosynthesis was not beneficial to these organisms until they evolved to become aerobic, meaning they could use oxygen for their metabolic processes. This evolution allowed them to utilize oxygen for energy production, leading to the development of more complex life forms.