1 - Life - Biology & Chemistry

Introduction to the Origin of Life

  • Discussion based on Erwin Schrödinger’s 1943 essay "What is Life?"

    • Noblesse oblige: Scientists are expected to have mastery over their subjects before writing about them.

    • Schrödinger expresses a desire to pursue a synthesis of knowledge even with incomplete information.

    • He acknowledges the expanding branches of knowledge and the challenge of mastering them all.

    • The aim is to avoid losing sight of understanding the whole amidst complexity.

Theories and Concepts of Evolution

  • Definition of Evolution:

    • A cornerstone of modern science, regarded as one of the most established facts, evidenced by multiple disciplines like anthropology, psychology, astrophysics, and more.

    • Wikipedia quote emphasizes the extensive scope of evidence supporting evolution.

  • LUCA (Last Universal Common Ancestor):

    • While it provides an insight into evolutionary connections, it does not elucidate on the origin of life.

Key Questions in Origin of Life

  • The nature of the inquiries regarding the origin of life focuses on:

    • When did life begin?

    • Where did life begin?

    • How did life begin?

When Did Life Begin?

  • Living Stromatolites:

    • Formed by layered sediment and various microbes, indicating early biological activity.

    • Autotrophs:

    • Photosynthesizing cyanobacteria (phototrophs) found at the top layers producing organic compounds.

    • Heterotrophs:

    • Organisms that consume the organic