Answer
Prokaryotes, the first known living organisms on Earth, could live despite the lack of oxygen because they were anaerobic, meaning they did not require oxygen for their metabolic processes. These early single-celled organisms obtained energy through various means, such as fermentation and anaerobic respiration, which did not rely on oxygen. Prokaryotes thrived in the anaerobic environment of early Earth, contributing to the modification of the atmosphere and paving the way for the eventual evolution of oxygen-producing photosynthetic organisms.
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