Origin of life on earth

The concept of spontaneous generation is traced from the 17th century up to 2005, summarizing the most recent research from the history of biology.  The concept of spontaneous generation was always debated in a context where its theological implications mattered, notwithstanding denial of this by scientists such as Pasteur.

There are three groups of scientists dominating the search for the origin of life: the organic chemists (the Soup), the molecular biologists (RNA world), and the inorganic chemists (metabolism and transient-state metal ions), all of which have experimental adjuncts. It is time for Clays and the
Origin of Life to have its experimental adjunct. The clay data coming from Mars and carbonaceous chondrites have necessitated a review of the role that clays played in the origin of life on Earth. The data from Mars have suggested that Fe-clays such as nontronite, ferrous saponites, and several other clays were formed on early Mars when it had sufficient water. This raised the question of the possible role that these clays may have played in the origin of life on Mars. This has put clays front and center in the studies on the origin of life not only on Mars but also here on Earth. One of the major questions is: What was the catalytic role of Fe-clays in the origin and development of metabolism here on Earth? First, there is the recent finding of a chiral amino acid (isovaline) that formed on the surface of a clay mineral on several carbonaceous chondrites. This points to the formation of amino acids on the surface of clay minerals on carbonaceous chondrites from simpler molecules, e.g., CO2, NH3, and HCN. Additionally, there is the catalytic role of small organic molecules, such as dicarboxylic acids and amino acids found on carbonaceous chondrites, in the formation of Fe-clays themselves. Amino acids and nucleotides adsorb on clay surfaces on Earth and subsequently polymerize. All of these observations and more must be subjected to strict experimental analysis. This review provides an overview of what has happened and is now happening in the experimental clay world related to the origin of life. The emphasis is on smectite-group clay minerals, such as montmorillonite and nontronite.

Mature Extraterrestrial Biology in Astrophysical Phenomena-Reply to critical numerical analysis of R Duggleby (2018) on Steele et al (2018) "Cause of Cambrian Explosion: Terrestrial or Cosmic?" Duggleby (2018) has made a numerical analysis of some aspects of the wide range of phenomena we reviewed in Steele et al. (2018) and asserted " .that panspermia as proposed by Steele et al. (2018) is extremely implausible." It seems to us that Duggleby has based his viewpoint on a quite narrow and specific model of Panspermia which he supposes to be active in the cosmos. Here we address both his conclusions and his numerical analysis. Our response therefore will be at two levels, his specific analysis and his general conclusions. In the specific section below we show that while Duggleby's numerical analysis appears in part correct it is, in the final analysis, quite irrelevant to Cosmic Panspermia. In the general response which follows we address his unsupported conclusion throughout his critique, namely that … " none of the examples mentioned by Steele et al. (2018) is decisive enough to allow no other explanation." 1. Statistics of cosmic infection and the comets Duggleby (2018) addresses the question of planet-to-planet transfer of microbiota-virions and bacteria e and correctly calculates probabilities that are truly negligible. However, he incorrectly assumes that we (and the other authors of Steele et al. (2018) were ignorant of this fact. We were always fully aware of these facts, and this is obvious throughout the entire Hoyle-Wickramasinghe et al. corpus of peer-reviewed publications.

Analysis of the vocabulary of 123 tabulated definitions of life reveals nine groups of defining terms (definientia) of which the groups (self-)reproduction and evolution (variation) appear as the minimal set for a concise and inclusive definition: Life is self-reproduction with variations.

The 'managed-metabolism' hypothesis suggests that a 'cooperation barrier' must be overcome if self-producing chemical organizations are to undergo the transition from non-life to life. This dynamical barrier prevents un-managed, self-organizing, autocatalytic networks of molecular species from individuating into complex, cooperative organizations. The barrier arises because molecular species that could otherwise make significant cooperative contributions to the success of an organization will often not be supported within the organization, and because side reactions and other 'free-riding' processes will undermine cooperation. As a result, the barrier seriously limits the possibility space that can be explored by un-managed organizations, impeding individuation supported by complex functionality and the transition to life. The barrier can be overcome comprehensively by appropriate 'management'. Management implements a system of evolvable constraints that can overcome the cooperation barrier by ensuring that beneficial co-operators are supported within the organization and by suppressing free riders. In this way management can control and manipulate the chemical processes of a collectively autocatalytic organization, producing novel processes that serve the interests of the organization as a whole and that could not arise and persist spontaneously in an un-managed chemical organization. Management self-organizes because it is able to capture some of the benefits that are produced when its management of an autocatalytic organization enhances productivity by promoting cooperation. Selection will therefore favour the emergence of managers that take over and manage chemical organizations so as to overcome the cooperation barrier. The managed-metabolism hypothesis demonstrates that if management is to overcome the cooperation barrier comprehensively, its interventions must be digitally coded. In this way, the hypothesis accounts for the two-tiered structure of all living cells in which a digitally-coded genetic apparatus manages an analogically-informed metabolism.

A small mysterious light blue planet seen in the infinite space between the planets of the solar system is our home i.e. the earth where according to the findings, life i.e. this divine bestowal is flowing on it and nowhere in the universe like it has been discovered yet. In this regard, in the Quran i.e. this eternal and comprehensive source of revelation, the origin of life on Earth is discussed. Relying on a descriptive-analytical method, the present study seeks, first, the theory of the “big bang”, which is a leading explanation for how the universe began; So that some verses of the Quran i.e. this immortal book of the universe also confirm the occurrence of a big bang at the time on the creation of the universe, and further the challenging and fascinating subject of the Emergence of life on Earth from the perspective of the Quran in which the divine word repeatedly mentioned life, as well as to examine and evaluate viewpoint of the science of prebiotic chemistry, which indicates to the important point that origin of life on Earth originated from non-biological (chemical) origins. The final achievement of the present study indicates that the prebiotic chemistry and the Quran i.e. this revelatory word which is the source of several sciences and has the highest value and scientific degree, have been provided an acceptable answer to this serious question that how life emerged on the Earth is always one of the concerns of the human mind.

Living and non-living entities are strikingly different, yet somehow the precise manner in which these two material forms relate to one another has remained provocatively out of reach. On the other hand, the decisive role of carbohydrates in the emergence of life is an evident reality and undeniable. I this regard, the synthesis of carbohydrate through Formose reaction has gained increasing researcher attention. The purpose of this research is the study of prebiotic synthesis of carbohydrates centering Formose reaction with analytical-descriptive method. Also, the main significance of the Formose reaction is related to the scenarios of chemical evolution expressing the possibility of a prebiotic condition on the earth to produce the first carbohydrates, nucleic acids, amino acids and other required material. The necessity of studying this reaction lies in its ability to synthesize carbohydrates. The findings of this research indicated that the Formose reaction is indeed an aldol condensation in the alkaline environments which can be accelerated by the catalysts. The Formose reaction was the basis for the non-biological chemical reactions to produce carbohydrates. From the chemical system point of view, it is a highly complex system composed of two reactions one slow and the other rapid.

There are three groups of scientists dominating the search for the origin of life: the organic chemists (the Soup), the molecular biologists (RNA world), and the inorganic chemists (metabolism and transient-state metal ions), all of which have experimental adjuncts. It is time for Clays and the Origin of Life to have its experimental adjunct. The clay data coming from Mars and carbonaceous chondrites have necessitated a review of the role that clays played in the origin of life on Earth. The data from Mars have suggested that Fe-clays such as nontronite, ferrous saponites, and several other clays were formed on early Mars when it had sufficient water. This raised the question of the possible role that these clays may have played in the origin of life on Mars. This has put clays front and center in the studies on the origin of life not only on Mars but also here on Earth. One of the major questions is: What was the catalytic role of Fe-clays in the origin and development of metabolis...