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Origin of Life
Origin of the Solar System
• Earth is estimated
to be ~4.6byo
– Radiometric dating
of rocks & meteors
• Nebula: cloud of
gas & dust in space
• Nebula Hypothesis:
– Gravity pulled much
material to center
(Sun formed)
– Planets: remaining
materials
Ancient Earth
• Atmosphere contents:
– Ammonia, H2O vapor,
Methane, CO2
• Climate:
– Extreme heat due to
meteor impacts &
volcanic activity
• Eventually Cooling:
Water vapor
condensed (oceans
formed)
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• Hypothesis: Energy from
lightning created organic
materials from inorganic
ingredients
• Experimental Set-Up:
– Ammonia, H2O vapor, Methane,
CO2 gases added
– Electricity added (simulate
lightning)
• Result: Amino Acids & later
nucleotides
• Importance: Could this be how
life began to take shape?
Murchison Meteorite
Cell Formation?
• Iron-Sulfide bubble
hypothesis
– Hydrothermal vents
trapped organic
molecules
– Wall acted as first cell
membrane
• Liposomes
– Spheres of lipids
– Can form around
organic molecules
– Hypothesis: 1st cell
membranes?
Kobe Kuiz
• What is a nebula?
• What does the nebula hypothesis try to explain?
• What were the ingredients used in Miller and Urey’s
experiment?
• Why did Miller and Urey choose to use these
ingredients (and not other ingredients)?
• Why was Miller and Urey’s experiment of great
importance?
• What does the iron sulfide hypothesis try to explain?
• Why are liposomes relevant to evolution?