Chapter 26 Early Earth and the Origin of Life
Phylogeny Traces life backward to common
ancestors. How did life get started?
Fossil Record Earliest - 3.5 billion years old. Earth - 4.5 billion years old. Point - Life on earth started relatively
soon after the earth was formed.
Chemical Evolution The evolution of life by abiogenesis.
Steps
1. Monomer Formation
2. Polymer Formation
3. Protobiont Formation
4. Origin of Heredity
Primitive Earth Conditions Reducing atmosphere present. Simple molecules
Ex: H2O, CH4, H2, NH3
Complex Molecule Formation Requires energy sources:
UV radiation Radioactivity Heat Lightning
Oparin and Haldane 1920s Hypothesized steps of chemical
evolution from primitive earth conditions.
Miller and Urey, 1953 Tested Oparin and Haldane’s
hypothesis. Experiment - to duplicate primitive earth
conditions in the lab.
Results Organic monomers formed including
Amino Acids.
Other Investigator's Results All 20 Amino Acids Sugars Lipids Nucleotides ATP
Hypothesis Early earth conditions could have
formed monomers for life's origins.
Polymer Synthesis Problem:
Monomers dilute in concentration. No enzymes for bond formation.
Possible Answer
1. Clay
2. Iron Pyrite
Explanation Lattice to hold molecules, increasing
concentrations. Metal ions present which can act as
catalysts.
Protobionts Aggregates of abiotically produced
molecules. Exhibit some properties of life.
Ex: Osmosis, Electrical Charge, Fission
Protobiont Formation Proteinoids + H2O microspheres
Liposomes + H2O lipid membranes
Coacervates Colloidal droplets of proteins, nucleic
acids and sugars surround by a water shell.
Will form spontaneously from abiotically produced organic compounds.
Summary Protobionts have membrane-like
properties and are very similar to primitive cells.
Start for selection process that lead to cells?
Question? Where did the energy come from to run
these early cells?
Answer ATP. Reduction of sulfur compounds. Fermentation. Rs and Ps developed much later.
Genetic Information DNA RNA Protein Too complex for early life. Other forms of genetic information?
RNA Hypothesis RNA as early genetic information.
Rational RNA polymerizes easily. RNA can replicate itself. RNA can catalyze reactions including
protein synthesis.
Ribozymes RNA catalysts found in modern cells. Possible relic from early evolution?
Molecular Cooperation Interaction between RNA and the
proteins it made. Proteins formed may serve as RNA
replication enzymes.
Molecular Cooperation Works best inside a membrane. RNA benefits from the proteins it made.
Selection For RNA/protein complexes inside
membranes.
DNA Developed later as the genetic information
Why? More stable than RNA
Alternate Views
1. Panspermia
2. Volcanic Vents
Panspermia Organic compounds for life from outer
space. Brought to earth by comets and
meteorites.
Evidence Organic molecules are found in space
and in meteorites.
Volcanic Vents Could easily supply the energy and
chemical precursors for chemical evolution.
Evidence – ecosystems that are around the sea floor volcanic vents.
Modern Earth Oxidizing atmosphere. Life present. Prevents new abiotic formation of life.
Hypothesis Life as a natural outcome of chemical
evolution. Life possible on many planets in the
universe.
Kingdom Highest Taxonomic category Old system - 2 Kingdoms
1. Plant
2. Animal
5 Kingdom System R.H. Whittaker - 1969 System most widely used today.
Main Characteristics Cell Type Structure Nutrition Mode
Monera Ex: Bacteria, Cyanobacteria Prokaryotic
Protista Ex: Amoeba, Paramecium Eukaryotic Unicellular or Colonial Heterotrophic
Fungi Ex: Mushrooms, Molds Eukaryotic Unicellular or Multicellular Heterotrophic - external digestion Cell wall of chitin
Plantae Ex: Flowers, Trees Eukaryotic Multicellular Autotrophic Cell wall of Cellulose/Silicon
Animalia Ex: Animals, Humans Eukaryotic Multicellular Hetrotrophic - internal digestion No cell wall
Other Systems Multiple Kingdoms – split life into as
many as 8 kingdoms. Domains – a system of classification
that is higher than kingdom.
3 Domain System Based on molecular structure for
evolutionary relationships. Prokaryotes are not all alike and should
be recognized as two groups. Gaining wider acceptance.
3 Domains
1. Bacteria – prokaryotic.
2. Archaea – prokaryotic, but biochemically similar to eukaryotic cells.
3. Eucarya – the traditional eukaryotic cells.
Summary Systematics is still evaluating the
evolutionary relationships of life on earth.
Be familiar with the conditions of primitive earth.
Know the steps of chemical evolution.
Summary Recognize the 5 Kingdoms. Recognize alternate systems for
classification.