Emergence of Life: Are We a Chance Mixing of Chemicals?

  • Thread starter wolram
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Life
In summary, the conversation discusses the possibility of life emerging on Earth as a result of a chance mixing of chemicals in an ideal environment. The building blocks of organic life are abundant in our solar system and self-organizing systems have been found to exist. The complexity of carbon chemistry is believed to be the reason for the emergence of life. The discussion also touches upon the idea of a creator and the purpose of life. Some sources are mentioned for further reading on the topic.
  • #1
wolram
Gold Member
Dearly Missed
4,446
558
if we are the only inteligent life forms in the universe
were we a chance mixing of chemicals ,in an ideal place
for "life" to emerge.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
We certainly weren't a freak chemical accident -- the building blocks of organic life are everyhere. There are amino acids in giant clouds in interstellar space and on cometary bodies. Methane, carbon dioxide, water, and other basic chemicals (which can be assembled into many organic molecules) are abundant in our solar system and in many others.

Many kinds of complex organic molecules, like DNA, are self-organizing. Once a single molecule forms, it catalyzes many others to form. A bath of water and amino acids and sugars will spontaneously form (random) sequences of DNA in the presence of some initial piece. Many of these self-organizing systems are known.

The evolution of cell walls and nucleation and so on are obviously not well known, but lipid bubbles (soap bubbles) are ubiquitious, and so are photosensitive organic chemicals.

The bottom line is that I feel there is nothing spectacular about biogenesis -- it's simply the result of organic molecules seeking their lowest energy states. The amazing complexity of carbon chemistry is the reason we're alive.

There's also a lot of evidence of coevolution -- mitochondria, viral DNA in exons in our genome, etc. Life didn't emerge whole, or complete... it grew in fits and starts.

I'd like to know more about the state of the science of biology -- has any real progress been made in the study of biogenesis recently?

- Warren
 
  • #3
Originally posted by wolram
if we are the only inteligent life forms in the universe
were we a chance mixing of chemicals ,in an ideal place
for "life" to emerge.

Do not count on it. The greatest discovery will not be finding life on other worlds but finding life with more than four bases, ACDT the basic building blocks of us.
 
  • #4
Originally posted by chroot
We certainly weren't a freak chemical accident -- the building blocks of organic life are everyhere. There are amino acids in giant clouds in interstellar space and on cometary bodies. Methane, carbon dioxide, water, and other basic chemicals (which can be assembled into many organic molecules) are abundant in our solar system and in many others.

Many kinds of complex organic molecules, like DNA, are self-organizing. Once a single molecule forms, it catalyzes many others to form. A bath of water and amino acids and sugars will spontaneously form (random) sequences of DNA in the presence of some initial piece. Many of these self-organizing systems are known.

The evolution of cell walls and nucleation and so on are obviously not well known, but lipid bubbles (soap bubbles) are ubiquitious, and so are photosensitive organic chemicals.

The bottom line is that I feel there is nothing spectacular about biogenesis -- it's simply the result of organic molecules seeking their lowest energy states. The amazing complexity of carbon chemistry is the reason we're alive.

There's also a lot of evidence of coevolution -- mitochondria, viral DNA in exons in our genome, etc. Life didn't emerge whole, or complete... it grew in fits and starts.

I'd like to know more about the state of the science of biology -- has any real progress been made in the study of biogenesis recently?

- Warren

Everyone is always missing the point. We know how it was done, when it was done but not why it was done. The why it was done, is embeded in inert primordial matter by the creator. How else could nothing know how to organize itself into intellegent conscious beings to ask these donkey questions.

If you want the proofs read Raul O. Leguizamon, Book title in spanish> En torno al origen de la vida which means The cause of the origen of life. ISBN 987-1036-09-4
 
  • #5
Originally posted by Rader
The why it was done, is embeded in inert primordial matter by the creator.
You just reminded me, there IS a reason I stay out of philosophical discussion. I can't stand the idiocy.

- Warren
 
  • #6
Homo blennus

the idiocy
"There is nothing in the world that can
give a man a sense of the infinite like
human stupidity." -Unknown
 
  • #7
Originally posted by chroot
You just reminded me, there IS a reason I stay out of philosophical discussion. I can't stand the idiocy.

- Warren

If that was the case why are you here, just curious?
 
  • #8
As long as we keep Santa Claus out of the discussion, there is nothing necessarily idiotic about philosophy.
 
  • #9
Originally posted by Eh
As long as we keep Santa Claus out of the discussion, there is nothing necessarily idiotic about philosophy.

why? maybe Santa created all life just to have someone to deliver gifts to...
 

1. How did life emerge from non-living matter?

The exact process by which life emerged is still unknown and heavily debated among scientists. Some theories suggest that life originated from a primordial soup of organic molecules in a warm, water-rich environment, while others propose that life may have been carried to Earth from elsewhere in the universe. Further research and experimentation is needed to fully understand the emergence of life.

2. Is the emergence of life a random event?

While the specific conditions and processes that led to the emergence of life are not fully understood, it is not considered a random event. The laws of chemistry and physics play a significant role in the formation of complex molecules and the development of living organisms. Additionally, the environment and external factors can also influence the emergence of life.

3. Can life emerge from any combination of chemicals?

There are certain conditions and chemical components that are necessary for the emergence of life. For example, organic molecules, such as amino acids, are essential building blocks for living organisms. However, it is unlikely that any random combination of chemicals could lead to the emergence of life. The specific combination and interactions of chemicals must be conducive to the formation of complex, self-replicating structures.

4. How long did it take for life to emerge on Earth?

The exact timeline for the emergence of life on Earth is still a subject of debate. Some evidence suggests that simple life forms may have emerged around 3.8 billion years ago, while others propose a more gradual process over billions of years. It is also possible that life may have emerged multiple times on Earth, with only one lineage surviving and evolving into the diverse array of life we see today.

5. What impact does the emergence of life have on our understanding of the universe?

The emergence of life on Earth is a significant event in the history of the universe and has implications for our understanding of the origins of life on other planets. It also raises questions about the possibility of extraterrestrial life and the potential for life to emerge in other environments. The study of the emergence of life can provide insights into the fundamental processes of the universe and our place within it.

Similar threads

  • General Discussion
2
Replies
40
Views
4K
Replies
1
Views
850
Replies
20
Views
1K
Replies
12
Views
996
  • Other Physics Topics
2
Replies
35
Views
3K
Replies
10
Views
951
  • Biology and Medical
Replies
1
Views
646
Replies
7
Views
1K
Replies
15
Views
2K
Back
Top