Getting closer.

[HitchSlap]

Scientists re-create what may be life's first spark

 

[Davian]

Interesting.

 

[Smidlee]

Getter closer to what ? Frankencell?

 

[Nithavela]

Closer to a plausible theory for the origin of life, of course.

 

[justlookinla]

 

[Nithavela]

So nice to see that you know so much more about this path of research. Maybe you should call them and tell them about it, so that they realise their mistakes?

 

[DogmaHunter]

Are you taking pictures of the scenery on the road you've been driving on for years?

 

[ChetSinger]

Interesting, but I'm underwhelmed. The basic building blocks are pretty simple, so their creation wouldn't seem to be difficult given the right raw materials and a suitable energy source.

I've always thought that their organization is the far larger issue. I've read that cells, the smallest living things, perform about 200 necessary functions. Disable a function and the cell is no longer viable.

 

[Shemjaza]

Interesting, but I'm underwhelmed. The basic building blocks are pretty simple, so their creation wouldn't seem to be difficult given the right raw materials and a suitable energy source.

I've always thought that their organization is the far larger issue. I've read that cells, the smallest living things, perform about 200 necessary functions. Disable a function and the cell is no longer viable.

Correct. This is why anything as complicated as a modern cell is way more advanced then we'd expect for first life.

 

[EternalDragon]

The closer we look, the more complex things get.

 

[ChetSinger]

The closer we look, the more complex things get.

Ain't that the story of modern biology. The ENCODE project is a stunning example of that.

 

[ChetSinger]

Correct. This is why anything as complicated as a modern cell is way more advanced then we'd expect for first life.

You've still got to get to a cell, though.

 

[Shemjaza]

You've still got to get to a cell, though.

Maybe. We honestly don't know.

I read a hypothesis that the first life could have developed in natural bubbles in porous rock.

Modern cells have to deal with an environment full of pathogens and parasites, the proto life would be free of those concerns.

 

[bhsmte]

So nice to see that you know so much more about this path of research. Maybe you should call them and tell them about it, so that they realise their mistakes?

That would be a priceless discussion to hear.

 

[lesliedellow]

How do the words Miller Urey come to cross my mind?

 

[sfs]

Closer to a plausible theory for the origin of life, of course.

Call me skeptical. I have trouble seeing how this mechanism would ever give rise to high enough concentrations of prebiotic chemicals to do anything. It does show that all kinds of interesting organic molecules can be produced in all kinds of ways, but I think hydrothermal vents are much more likely to be the relevant source than impacts.

 

[Davian]

How do the words Miller Urey come to cross my mind?

This is what came to my mind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrMuFpGlcpk

 

[Strathos]

Well it's one possible contributing factor but it's hardly conclusive, from what I can see.

 

[Bungle_Bear]

Call me skeptical.

Happy to oblige. sfs, you're sceptical (sorry, I just had to correct the spelling).

I have trouble seeing how this mechanism would ever give rise to high enough concentrations of prebiotic chemicals to do anything. It does show that all kinds of interesting organic molecules can be produced in all kinds of ways, but I think hydrothermal vents are much more likely to be the relevant source than impacts.

With you there. Continuous presence of the necessary ingredients seems a better fit at present.

 

[sfs]

Happy to oblige. sfs, you're sceptical (sorry, I just had to correct the spelling).

Transoceanic prescriptivist!