Question regarding evolution.
lemnitz (lemnitz@sim.zipnet.com)
10 Oct 1996 03:50:45 GMT
I have a question regarding the origin of life, and not being an authority
on the subject, I thought I'd ask it here.
What I understand of evolutionary theory indicates that life evolved from
chance combinations of chemicals, with the heat and pressure of earth's
atmosphere acting as a catalyst. Apparently, simple amino acids and such
were formed from these chemical reactions, and from this we infer that
single-celled life was also a possibility.
My question is this:
Assuming that a form of life, however simple, could be spontaneously
created from it's chemical components, how would it reproduce? As far
as I can tell, the first organism would have had to posess these
attributes:
- A DNA system, or perhaps a precursor to DNA - necessary for storing it's
genetic makeup.
- A system to transmit this information to its offspring, however simple.
- Some apparatus capable of building a new organism based on the DNA.
- A system for absorbing from its surroundings the energy necessary for
reproduction.
Obviously, were these not in place, the organism would eventually die, and
earth would be back where it started - lifeless. Looking back on what I've
just written, I suppose my real question is this: Am I to believe that a
spontaneously produced creature could possibly be as complicated as I've
loosely detailed here, and if not, where have I erred?
I'd appreciate any light you could shed on this subject. None of my
professors have been able to even begin to answer my question.
--
______ ____
_|___ || _| Jason Hickner lemnitz@zipcon.net
| | | -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
\ || | "Natura enim simplex est, et rerum
\ ____||____| causis superfluis non luxuriat." - Newton
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