How does abiogenesis work?
1 Answer
Abiogenesis is considered as the process of life arising from non living matter. It is proposed that abiogenesis occurred on earth in the prehistoric era.
Explanation:
British scientist Haldane and Russian biochemist Oparin , believed that organic molecules could be formed from abiogenic materials in the presence of external energy sources. This was supported by the primitive atmosphere having ammonia, water vapour amongst other gases. The low amounts of oxygen and high UV radiations added to this.
They believed that aggregates of lipid molecules, held together by electrostatic forces may have been the precursors of cells. These were called coacervates .
The above theory was tested by American scientist duo Miller and Urey. They simulated the earth's prebiotic atmosphere, primitive ocean and heat , and were able to form simple organic molecules including amino acids.
Modern metabolism based models of abiogenesis suggest that aggregates of coacervates displayed some characteristics of life and are called protobionts . These protobionts gave rise to prokaryotes.
Biogenesis ( life derived from reproduction of other life forms) was presumably preceded by abiogenesis. However abiogenesis became impossible once earths atmosphere assumed its present composition. The theory of abiogenesis has neither been proved or disproved.
