Biology/Evolution
Advertisement
Question
Did amoebas appear or first evolve before red algae and green algae?
Thanks for using AllExperts, Jasmine. So far as we know now, amoebas evolved before algae; protozoans (the group to which amoebas belong) formed the evolutionary basis for all higher multicellular organisms, including algae. Protozoans are the earliest organisms known to have complex features that appear later in the evolutionary record: these include structures such as chloroplasts, flagella, cilia, etc. This suggests that they came first, naturally enough, and thus places them before algae in the fossil record. Additional information can be found at the websites listed below:
http://www.cladocera.de/protozoa/protozoa.html
http://www.bms.ed.ac.uk/research/others/smaciver/amoebae.htm
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
John Locke
Expertise
I will answer all biology-related questions through the undergraduate level. I will explain unclear concepts and suggest approaches to solving problems, but would prefer not to completely solve homework problems for you. If you are completely stumped on homework, tell me what you already know and I will help you as much as possible. Please do not ask me for ideas on school research projects; part of research is determining a suitable area of investigation, and that's not a task that should be completed by someone else. Please don't simply send me your homework for solutions. If you are having difficulty after you have started an analysis, I will be happy to direct your thinking; in particular, I would prefer to not simply solve pedigrees for students, but I will be happy to assist in solving pedigrees that you have already started. If you don't understand how to analyze a pedigree, I'd highly recommend watching this video, in which a biology professor explains the basic concepts of pedigree analysis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbIHjsn5cHo
Experience
I have a BS in Bioengineering with a concentration in Chemical Engineering (which included a heavy focus on biology), and have taught biology, biochemistry, and related subjects for some time now.
Education/Credentials
BS Bioengineering, Penn State University
MCAT/DAT/OAT Instructor
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.