The Origin of Our Life on Earth (Part II)

 

On Thursday, July 27, 2023, I have written an essay on:

Mysteries on the Origin of Life on Earth (Part I) here:

 

https://scientificlogic.blogspot.com/search?q=origin+of+life

 

Today, I shall continue with Part II on this subject. It was one of my academic forum dissertations presented when I did my short post-doctoral studies on Evolutionary Biology from the University of Cambridge in 2019

 

The Origin of Life (Part II)

 by:  ju-boo lim

The origin of life on Earth is a profound question that has intrigued scientists, philosophers, and theologians for centuries. Over time, various theories have emerged, each seeking to explain how life began. Here is a detailed examination of the most prominent past and present theories, along with significant studies that have contributed to our understanding.

First, we have Abiogenesis (Spontaneous Generation)

 Abiogenesis, or spontaneous generation, is the theory that life arose naturally from non-living matter through natural processes. This idea has evolved significantly over time. There is a historical background.

In ancient Greece, Aristotle proposed that life could spontaneously arise from non-living matter. For instance, he believed that mice could emerge from dirty hay.

In the Medieval Period, people believed in spontaneous generation. It persisted through the medieval period. For example, it was thought that maggots spontaneously generated from decaying meat.

Some experiments conducted then were (examples):

Francesco Redi (1668) who conducted experiments that challenged spontaneous generation by showing that maggots on meat came from eggs laid by flies, not from the meat itself.

Louis Pasteur (1861) provided conclusive evidence against spontaneous generation with his famous swan-neck flask experiments, demonstrating that microorganisms did not arise spontaneously in sterilized broth.

Modern Abiogenesis believes in chemical evolution. Modern theories of abiogenesis focus on chemical evolution, where simple organic molecules gradually formed more complex molecules capable of self-replication.

An example was the Miller-Urey Experiment (1952). Stanley Miller and Harold Urey simulated early Earth conditions and demonstrated that amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, could be synthesized from inorganic precursors.

We also have the Panspermia Theory. Panspermia is the hypothesis that life exists throughout the Universe and was distributed to Earth via comets, meteorites, or cosmic dust.

The types of Panspermia are:

Lithopanspermia. Life or its precursors were transported to Earth via rocks ejected from other planets.

Ballistic Panspermia. Microorganisms could survive space travel inside meteoroids.

Radio panspermia studies proposed that microbial life could be distributed by radiation pressure from stars.

Key studies contributing this are from the following:

Svante Arrhenius (1903) who proposed the idea of radio panspermia, suggesting that life spores could travel between planets driven by radiation pressure.

NASA Research is based on studies on extremophiles (organisms that can survive extreme conditions) support the idea that life could potentially survive space travel.

Then there is this very popular Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vent Hypothesis.  This theory proposes that life originated at hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor, where superheated water rich in minerals provides a unique environment for chemical reactions. The key concepts of Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vent Hypothesis are:

The alkaline hydrothermal vents.  These vents emit warm, alkaline water that could create proton gradients similar to those used by modern cells to generate energy.

Serpentinization is a chemical process that occurs at these vents, potentially leading to the formation of organic molecules.

Significant studies are based on Michael Russell (1993) who proposed that life could have originated at alkaline hydrothermal vents where conditions are favourable for the formation of organic compounds and energy gradients.

Experimental evidence from laboratory simulations have shown that organic molecules can form under conditions mimicking those of hydrothermal vents.

Then other scientists came out with their RNA World Hypothesis. The RNA world hypothesis suggests that RNA, a molecule capable of both storing genetic information and catalysing chemical reactions, was the first self-replicating molecule that led to the evolution of life. The key points are the ribozymes. These are the RNA molecules with enzymatic properties that can catalyse their own replication.

RNA replication results in the ability of RNA to store genetic information and catalyse chemical reactions makes it a likely candidate for the first self-replicating molecule.

Important research in this theory is attributed to Thomas Cech and Sidney Altman (1982) who discovered ribozymes, demonstrating that RNA can have catalytic functions and Jack Szostak who conducted experiments showing how simple RNA molecules could replicate and evolve under prebiotic conditions.

Then other scientists came out with the Iron-Sulphur World Hypothesis. In this hypothesis it was suggested that life originated on the surface of iron and nickel sulphide minerals near hydrothermal vents.

The key concepts are the iron-sulphur clusters found in modern enzymes, suggesting an ancient origin.

Then we also have the surface metabolism which are metabolic reactions occurring on the surfaces of minerals. The key proponent is due to Günter Wächtershäuser (1988) who proposed that life began on iron-sulphur surfaces, where simple molecules could catalyse reactions leading to more complex organic molecules.

Another is the Clay Hypothesis that suggests life originated from complex organic molecules forming on the surfaces of clay minerals. Clay minerals provide a structured surface for organic molecules to concentrate and react. Clays can catalyse the formation of organic molecules.

Notable research in this hypothesis is attributed to A.G. Cairns-Smith (1985) who proposed that clay minerals could have provided the template for the formation of complex organic molecules. Laboratory studies have shown that clay minerals can indeed catalyse the formation of simple organic molecules.

Others are the Primordial Soup Theory.  This theory posits that life began in a "primordial soup" of organic molecules in early Earth's oceans, driven by energy sources such as lightning or ultraviolet light.

The main concepts are prebiotic chemistry where there was the formation of organic molecules in early Earth's oceans. The energy sources came from lightning, UV light, and volcanic activity as sources for chemical reactions.

The foundational work for this theory came from Alexander Oparin and J.B.S. Haldane (1920s) who independently proposed that early Earth's conditions favoured the chemical synthesis of organic molecules, leading to the formation of a primordial soup.

Miller-Urey experiment as mentioned in Part 1 of this article supported the idea that organic molecules could form under prebiotic conditions.

Modern research in synthetic biology aims to create minimal cells, which are the simplest possible living systems, to understand the origins of life.

The key concepts are the minimal genome. This area is based on identifying the smallest set of genes necessary for life called protocells. These protocells are simple, artificial cells created in the lab to study the origins of life.

Recent advances are from Craig Venter's Research where scientists synthesized a minimal bacterial genome and created a living cell with it, advancing our understanding of the basic requirements for life. In the protocell experiments, researchers have created protocells that mimic aspects of early life, shedding light on how simple cells might have formed.

In the eyes of evolutionary biologists, the origin of life on Earth remains a complex and multifaceted question. Each theory offers valuable insights and has advanced our understanding in unique ways. While no single theory has yet provided a complete explanation, ongoing research continues to bring us closer to uncovering the mystery of how life began.

However, from the Bible or other religious text on the Origin of Life on Earth differs that we know as biologists and biological evolutionists.

Different religious texts offer varying perspectives on the origin of life on Earth. Let’s have a look at some key insights from the Bible and other religious scriptures.

The Bible (Christianity and Judaism) given in the Book of Genesis describes the creation of the world by God in six days. On the first day, God created light; on the second day, the sky; on the third day, dry land, seas, plants, and trees; on the fourth day, the Sun, Moon, and stars; on the fifth day, creatures that live in the sea and birds; and on the sixth day, animals that live on the land and humans.

According to Genesis 1:27, God created humans in His own image: "So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." Genesis 2 provides a more detailed account of the creation of man (Adam) from the dust of the ground and the creation of woman (Eve) from Adam’s rib.

"And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul" (Genesis 2:7) 

In the Qur'an (Islam), Surah Al-Baqarah and Surah Al-Hijr it says that the creation of humans was from Allah who created the heavens and the Earth and all that is between them. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:30), it is mentioned that Allah created Adam from clay or dust. In Surah Al-Hijr (15:26), it says: "We created man from sounding clay, from mud moulded into shape."

The Qur'an also emphasizes that Allah created every living being from water (Surah Al-Anbiya 21:30) and that He is the one who fashioned the human being in due proportion and breathed into him of His spirit (Surah As-Sajdah 32:9).

In Rigveda (Hinduism, Nasadiya Sukta - Hymn of Creation) it was Cosmic Creation.  The Rigveda, one of the oldest Hindu scriptures, contains a creation hymn known as the Nasadiya Sukta. This hymn contemplates the origin of the universe and existence. It begins with a state of non-being and non-existence, and a gradual emergence of existence, driven by a mysterious force. It acknowledges the mystery and uncertainty of creation, ultimately stating that perhaps only the Creator knows how creation happened.

 Hindu texts describe the creation of life as part of a cosmic process involving various deities and forces. The Purusha Sukta in the Rigveda describes the cosmic being (Purusha) whose sacrifice led to the creation of all life forms.

Tao Te Ching (Taoism) and Laozi's Teachings discusses the Tao, or "The Way," as the fundamental principle underlying the universe. It is an abstract, formless, and indescribable force from which all life and creation emerge. The Tao is eternal and operates in a natural, spontaneous way, giving rise to the myriad things in existence.

The Tao Te Ching does not provide a specific creation story but emphasizes harmony with the Tao and the natural order of the universe.

Aboriginal Australian Dreamtime stories (Indigenous Australian Spirituality) speak of Creation Ancestors. According to Aboriginal Australian spiritual beliefs, the Dreamtime is a sacred era in which ancestral spirits created the world. These creation ancestors, often depicted as animals or natural elements, shaped the landscape, created life, and established laws and customs. It speaks about Living Landscape.  The Dreamtime stories highlight a profound connection between the land, people, and all living beings. The land is seen as a living entity imbued with the presence of the ancestral spirits.

These religious texts and traditions offer rich and diverse perspectives on the origin of life, reflecting the profound questions and deep reverence that humans have for the mysteries of existence and creation.

I have given you a lot of scientific theories presented by various scientists on the origin of life on Earth in Part I, and also here in Part II. But none of them gave any explanation on how all these primordial molecules 4,000 million years ago suddenly sprang alive and began to move, breathe, nourish, reproduce themselves and able to respond to stimuli showing life and all those characteristics of life in them, and henceforth produced a wide biodiversity of life on Earth.

Science has not been able to tell us this part of the story except in the Bible where it is stated the God breathed into his (Adam) nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7) 

In the Quran it was mentioned, "God breathed into him of His spirit."

In Rigveda and other religious text it hints about "mysterious force" and "ancestral spirits"

Having being spirtually guided and inspired to write  these in Part 1 and Part II, whom do you believe now?  - God or the scientist about our origin and our purpose here in this world? 

Before you rush in to answer, read first here as a reminder:

https://scientificlogic.blogspot.com/2024/06/does-our-souls-remember-actions-of-our.html

 I have already firmly made my choice in whom to accept and believe. What about you? 

Take very good care of our eternal souls, not our temporary physical body or health here in transit for our souls to the next world. 

I hope you can appreciate this? Most would ignore! 

References

1. Miller, S. L., & Urey, H. C. (1953). Organic Compound Synthesis on the Primitive Earth. Science, 117(3046), 528-529.
2. Arrhenius, S. (1908). Worlds in the Making: The Evolution of the Universe. Harper & Brothers.
3. Burchell, M. J. (2004). Panspermia Today. International Journal of Astrobiology, 3(2), 73-80.
4. Russell, M. J., Hall, A. J., & Martin, W. (2010). Serpentinization as a source of energy at the origin of life. Geobiology, 8(4), 355-371.
5. Cody, G. D., et al. (2000). Primordial Carbonylated Iron-Sulfur Compounds and the Synthesis of Pyruvate. Science, 289(5483), 1337-1340.
6. Cech, T. R., & Altman, S. (1989). The RNA World. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology, 1(1), a003600.
7. Szostak, J. W. (2009). The origin of life on Earth and the design of alternative life forms. Molecular Frontiers Journal, 3(2), 111-118.
8. Wächtershäuser, G. (1988). Before enzymes and templates: theory of surface metabolism. Microbiological Reviews, 52(4), 452-484.
9. Cairns-Smith, A. G. (1985). Seven Clues to the Origin of Life: A Scientific Detective Story. Cambridge University Press.
10. Ferris, J. P., & Ertem, G. (1992). Oligomerization of ribonucleotides on montmorillonite: reaction of the 5′-phosphorimidazolide of adenosine. Science, 257(5075),