Origin and Diversification of Life on Earth

These flashcards capture key terms and concepts related to the origin and diversification of life on Earth.

Last Universal Common Ancestor (LUCA)

Not a single organism, but a population that left descendants still present today.

Prebiotic Soup Hypothesis

The idea that early Earth's atmosphere lacked oxygen and contained a pool of molecules that eventually led to life.

Spiegelman’s Monster

An experiment where RNA molecules replicate and evolve in a test tube environment, demonstrating natural selection.

Miller and Urey Experiment

Simulated early Earth conditions to produce amino acids from methane, hydrogen, ammonia, and water.

RNA World Hypothesis

Theory suggesting that early life forms were based on RNA rather than DNA.

Homeostasis

The ability of an organism to maintain a stable internal environment.

Molecular Mutualism

A relationship where multiple molecular substrates improve each other's replication.

Ribozymes

RNA molecules that can act as enzymes, facilitating chemical reactions.

Chemical Stability of DNA

DNA is more stable than RNA, allowing for lower mutation rates and longer genes.

Phylogenetic Event Horizon

The point in history of life beyond which phylogenetic analysis cannot infer information.