1. Oxygen “Permanent” burial of organic matter on cratons Continuous coupling of C/N/O (and S) redox reactions – never an equilibrium state for the planet Requires liquid water on the surface of the planet

4. The evolution of nannomachines The fundamental problem in origins of life - evolution of energy transduction before information? Or vice versa?

5. Transmission microscope picture of NPP1 Electron sources: Photosynthesis and respiration

6. Model of bacterial reaction center in Ro. denitrificans (modified from Takamia, 1989) IRFRR fluorescence transient

7. Light utilization and carbon fixation – these bugs are photoheterotrophs (a “dual fuel” metabolic strategy}

10. PSII type Reaction Center

11. The Mn cluster in PS II

14. Frozen metabolic accidents

15. PS genes retained in chloroplasts are very highly conserved

19.  34 S sulfate  34 S sulfide  33 S

21. Nitrogenase

22. Chronically Crippled Nitrogenase

24. Anabaena sp.

29. The rise in oxygen The last big biological innovation on Earth Led to the rise of metazoans – and the success of aerobic eukaryotes. Altered Earth’s chemistry forever

31. Holding Oxygen concentrations in check Feedbacks with N cycle C cycle (photorespiration) And (later) oxidation of organic matter (lignins)