Evolutionists: how did the first plants survive without photosynthesis?

Question

The process of photosynthesis in plants is very complex. How could the first plant survive unless it already possessed this remarkable capability?

Answer 1

It's actually quite complicated. Here's some references. I suggest starting with the Bayman paper.

http://www.talkorigins.org/indexcc/CB/CB510.html

Answer 2

Even though I know Im wasting my time I'll give you some short answers: 1.Something from nothing? Who says the singularity comes from nothing. There are theories like M-theory etc that attempt to answer it, but the short answer is that we just don't know yet. And the Big Bang isn't a bloody explosion, its an expansion. 2.Physical laws an accident? Thats just the laws the universe has, why is it so important that they were specifically put in place? Another universe may have laws that are completely different and therefore work completely differently. It just so happens our universe supports life. 3.Life from dead chemicals? Scientists have recreated the events in a lab. 4.Complex DNA and RNA by chance? I'm not a biologist, ask this in the biology section. 5.Reproduction without reproduction? Huh? Life started out with the ability to reproduce. Sexual reproduction is more effective in keeping species diverse and healthy. 6.Plants without photosynthesis? The ability evolved over time/ 7.Explain metamorphosis! What has this even got to do with evolution? Ask the biology section! 8.It should be easy to show evolution. Firstly evolution refers only to biological life, not the origins of the universe. Secondly, there is one hell of a lot of evidence for evolution. It can be proven to you in a matter of hours if you just research it. 9.Complex things require intelligent design folks! No. Natural selection is a great way to create something complex that works without a designer.

Answer 3

Did you know that there are plants living in the bottom of the ocean, where there is no sunlight at all? Well, those plants survive without light, so not all plants need photosynthesis to survive.

And if you don't believe that plants could have evolved to be able to photosynthesise, then you obviously do not understand how evolution works at all, and this question has no standing whatsoever.

If you want a detailed answer, then please ask this question in a science section, for our sake and for yours.

Answer 4

This question is a perfect example of trolling for attention. It has absolutely no place under the heading of Religion & Spirituality as the topic is biology.

It is addressed to " evolutionists". Evolution is a scientific theory of Biology. It is the cornerstone of modern medicine and biology and accurate predictions are made based on applications of the theory.

Do we call people who understand and utilize germ theory " germists", or those who are studying graviational theory " gravitationlists"? Scientists who study biologic evolution are biologists, geneticists, physicians and other researchers. There is no general term for the layman who understands basic biology and evolutionary process other than " educated in biology".

A question asking about the process of biologic evolution belongs under the heading of science and biology.

I respectfully suggest that the questioner FIRST learn the basic steps of scientific METHOD to learn what topics and questions are applicable. Then progress to basic biology and learn the definition of evolution.

As has already been stated, protists were employing this function prior to plants on land.

Answer 5

Bacteria and other single celled organisms are capable of photosynthesis, not just plants. It's likely that plants evolved from a similar organism.

I think I speak for us all when I say that I'm getting sick of these questions asking how organisms survived whilst "waiting for their to evolve"... Please learn a bit about evolution before attempting to criticise it.

Answer 6

I can't provide you with a satisfactory answer due to the logical contradiction inherent in your question. You assume that the first plant couldn't photosynthesise, despite photosynthesis being an element of the definition of the kingdom plantae. So your question makes no sense.
If it helps, prokaryotes capable of photosynthesis existed before plants.

Answer 7

Ask yourself this? Is your god more or less complex than a photosynthetic plant. If you answer more, then how did that complexity come about? If you answer less, then how did your god create such complexity?

The idea that complexity requires creation by a prior greater complexity only leads to infinite regression. Complexity comes not from complex creators but from selection operating on variance.

Answer 8

in plants yes, because it is the end point of a process that began simply in bacteria using sunlight to break down complex organic compounds and grew more complex over time, ( a very, very long time), with the accumulation of beneficial mutations. there that's evolution for you.

Answer 9

God's Elect,
evolutionary scientists are not that simple.
they know more about plants and animals than anybody
i know that other people will give you a technical answer... but come on, do you really think the scientists hadn't thought of such a simple objection already?

Answer 10

If it didn't have photosynthesis, it wasn't a plant yet.

Photosynthesis developed in pre macrobiotic life.