Hypotheses such as the primordial soup and RNA world explain how self-replicating molecules first arose.
The Miller-Urey experiment (1953) produced amino acids from simple gases and sparks. Ideas include hydrothermal vents, clay surfaces and the RNA world. Protocells with lipid membranes could have enclosed replicating molecules. Earliest fossil evidence of life is at least 3.5 billion years old (stromatolites).
The question is still open.
Hypotheses such as the primordial soup and RNA world explain how self-replicating molecules first arose.
Origin of Life is one of the 53 topics in Evolution. It is rated Intermediate, so it suits learners who already know the core vocabulary. Related topics in this area include Cambrian Explosion, Charles Darwin, Mass Extinctions.
Meteorites such as Murchison contain amino acids.
Work through the Beginner topics in Evolution first, such as Evolution, Natural Selection, Charles Darwin, then return to Origin of Life. Intermediate topics assume the Beginner vocabulary.
The closest topics to Origin of Life are Cambrian Explosion, Charles Darwin, Mass Extinctions, Human Evolution. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Origin of Life. To practise the whole of Evolution, use the Evolution quiz.
Origin of Life: Hypotheses such as the primordial soup and RNA world explain how self-replicating molecules first arose. Cambrian Explosion: A rapid diversification of animal body plans about 540 million years ago. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Cambrian Explosion and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Evolution quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
A rapid diversification of animal body plans about 540 million years ago.
🦎 EvolutionThe naturalist who proposed natural selection in On the Origin of Species in 1859 after the Beagle voyage.
🦎 EvolutionFive major events, including the end-Permian and end-Cretaceous, that wiped out large fractions of species.
🦎 EvolutionThe hominin lineage, from Australopithecus through Homo erectus to Homo sapiens, evolved in Africa.
🦎 Evolution