Scientists discover the world's oldest biological color

The video discusses the discovery of bright pink pigment in marine black shales beneath the Sahara Desert, identified as molecular fossils of chlorophyll from ancient photosynthetic organisms. These organisms, primarily cyanobacteria, thrived in ancient oceans a billion years ago. Around 650 million years ago, these oceans began to disappear, and algae started to spread, significantly contributing to the evolution of ecosystems.

What was the pink pigment found beneath the Sahara Desert identified as?

• Molecular fossils of chlorophyll

• Ancient marine algae

• Fossilized coral

• Mineral deposits

What did the researchers confirm about the ancient oceans?

• They were devoid of life

• They contained tiny cyanobacteria

• They were filled with large fish

• They were dominated by algae

Approximately how many years ago did the cyanobacteria start to disappear from the oceans?

• 1 billion years ago

• 500 million years ago

• 650 million years ago

• 2 billion years ago

What significant change occurred in the oceans around 650 million years ago?

• The formation of coral reefs

• The extinction of all marine life

• The spread of algae

• The rise of large marine mammals

How did the spread of algae affect the ecosystems?

• It resulted in the formation of deserts

• It helped ecosystems to evolve

• It caused a decline in marine biodiversity

• It led to the extinction of cyanobacteria