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Joshua Higbee

D. Winters

Biology 1010

April 22, 2017

Biology Issue Paper

I chose the subject the origin of life. There a few different theories that

explain the origin of life more than three billion years ago. Evolving from the

most basic microorganism into the vast amount of different complexities

over time. Where/how did the first organisms come to be on earth, the only

known home to life in the universe (this far)?

There are a lot of theories with scientific backing. Community Clay

theory, where crystals in clay could have arranged organic molecules into

organized patterns, after a while organizing themselves. Chilly Start theory,

where the oceans might have been iced over protecting the organic

compounds from UV rays, destruction from cosmic impacts, and helping

extend their life to perform key reactions to happen. RNA World theory,

explains how Ribonucleic Acid might have come before DNA and proteins,

the more complex structures took control while RNA still remains/functions

within the organism (other nucleic acids also suggested as origin of life such

as PNA or TNA). Simple Beginnings, stating that rather than complex

molecules, life may have begun with micro molecules interacting with each
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other in cycles creating more complex molecules. And Panspermia, which

says life may have come from a rock blasted off another planet, comet or

other star system (This would just change the question of origin of life on

earth to the origin elsewhere in space).

The Electric Spark theory was put out after Miller-Urey spark discharge

experiments in 1953. Has been contested with evidence that Earths early

atmosphere was hydrogen poor. Scientists have discussed the probability of

volcano eruptions fueling the atmosphere with methane, ammonia, and

hydrogen, then lightning did its part. Laboratory tests over many years have

been able to get simple ingredients to synthesize into more complex

structures (amino acids, sugars, nucleobases, and membrane forming

liquids). Though trying so simulate the early world and not a lab environment

remains a challenge for experimentalists. (Thomas M. McCollom)

Deep sea vents, are geochemically reactive habitats that harbour rich

microbial communities. Hydrothermal vents have chemical reaction

similarities with autotroph prokaryotes. Hydrothermal vents thus unite

microbiology and geology to breathe new life into research into one of

biology's most important questions the origin of life - (William Martin, John

Baross, Deborah Kelley, & Michael J. Russell).

Of all these theories I believe that the Deep Sea Vents theory is the

most plausible theory that I read about because of the rich environment it

holds. From documentaries and studies of deep sea fish and prehistoric
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creatures that have been around for millions of years in these areas. I believe

that it could be any of the theories with the testing and backing they have,

and likely a mixture of multiple theories, but I think the deep sea vents are

likely the largest contributor to the origin of life.

References

Thomas M. McCollom

Miller-Urey and Beyond: What Have We Learned About Prebiotic

Organic Synthesis Reactions in the Past 60 Years?, Annual Review of

Earth and Planetary Sciences, vol 41 2013, pp 207-212

William Martin, John Baross, Deborah Kelley, & Michael J. Russell

Hydrothermal vents and the origin of life, Nature Reviews Microbiology

6, 805-814 (November 2008)

http://www.nature.com/nrmicro/journal/v6/n11/abs/nrmicro1991.html

Robert F. Service, March 16, 2015,

http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2015/03/researchers-may-have-

solved-origin-of-life-conundrum