Abstract
The field of abiogenesis explores the mystery concerning how life arose on Earth from non-living matter. We must assume that this happened in accordance with the laws of physics and chemistry. How chemical evolution led to the appearance of self-replicating polynucleotides has not been determined, but significant progress has been made. Uncertainty likewise remains concerning how the enzyme-driven reactions of metabolism arose, as well as how metabolic reactions and polynucleotide-based genetic mechanisms of inheritance were encapsulated together within the membranes of the first cells. This chapter examines a broad outline of molecular biology, and how this information provides retrospective insight into life’s beginning by asking what kind of beginning is consistent with life’s current state of affairs. Information gleaned from this exercise is then integrated with information derived from a prospective exercise that asks how self-replicating polynucleotides, could have formed from simpler organic building blocks on the basis of first principles. One of the great problems of abiogenesis is captured in the question concerning whether genes or metabolism came first. Arguments have been made in favor of independent beginnings, but this provides no insight regarding how they were integrated in cells to yield the modern state of affairs. How would it all come together? A third possibility requires that the genes needed for the production of enzymes that catalyze metabolic reactions, and metabolism that provides the energy necessary for the production of enzymes, co-evolved from simpler antecedent processes that were always integrated.
God formed man out of the clay of the ground.
Genesis 2: 7
We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now
Romans 8:22
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- 1.
The idea that we live in a universe that has physical laws that are compatible, or even necessary, for the emergence of life is known as the Anthropic Principle .
- 2.
Inorganic molecules do not include carbon as an atomic constituent.
- 3.
Organic molecules all contain carbon as one of the atomic constituents. Sugars, fats, proteins and the nucleic acids DNA and RNA are all examples of organic molecules.
- 4.
A polymer is a complex molecule made of many identical or similar subunits linked together. Various types of clay are examples of inorganic polymers .
- 5.
An endergonnic chemical reaction consumes energy as opposed to energy releasing reactions which are exergonic.
- 6.
Hydrophobic means that molecular interaction with water molecules is not energetically favored. Hydrophobic substances are insoluble in water, therefore.
- 7.
Hydrophilic means that molecular interaction with water molecules is energetically favored. Hydrophilic substances are therefore water soluble.
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Di Rocco, R.J., Coons, E.E. (2018). Abiogenesis: The Emergence of Life from Non-living Matter. In: Consilience, Truth and the Mind of God. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01869-6_5
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