Chemical Evolution: The Emergence of Complex Organic Molecules
Chemical evolution is defined by Higgs (2017) as the occurrence of chemical events in the ocean that result in the emergence of complex organic molecules from simpler inorganic molecules. It is a custom that dates back to the early days of Earth's history. However, this process has taken place over a billion years and is regarded as the beginning of the evolution of life.
Theories of Chemical Evolution: Land-Based Volcanic and Ocean-Based Origins
Depending on the reactors that were utilized in the reaction, the execution of these experiments will yield varying outcomes. This essay examines how chemical evolution has affected life on Earth and highlights some of the issues these reactions have caused. Some of the theories linked to chemical evolution include a land-based volcanic theory, ocean-based as well as deep-sea vent origins theory. However, the ocean-based and land-based theories are mostly discussed by scientists and researchers in the concepts of chemical evolution.
Ocean-Based Theory: Formation of Organic Molecules by Chance
According to the ocean-based theory, it is believed that the organic molecules were created by chance and the inorganic elements coiled and bonded in the sea (Abe 1997). However, the assumption is faced with multiple contradictions, as the possibilities of this action taking place are very minimal. The action is further supported by the presence of carbon dioxide, as it is stated that the gas was fully oxidized to speed up these reactions. Similarly, organic molecules like hydrogen cyanide, amino acids, and formaldehyde were present in the ocean, thus speeding up the reactions.
Land-Based Volcanic Theory: Heat and Dry Spells as Catalysts
The land-based volcanic theory provides focus on the search for life in the solar system, acting in contrary to the ocean-based theory. The results are based on the heat created to catalyze reactions during dry spells, where complex molecules are known as polymers and are often formed by simpler units (Van Kranedonk et al. 2017). It is further stated that the presence of hot springs, geysers, and pools can catalyze the process of a chemical system that helps in the creation of life on the Earth to begin. Similarly, colonization is viewed as the result of the chemical reaction process.
Water as a Major Complication: Different Effects on Theories
Water is considered a major problem for the theories. For instance, the presence of water in the ocean causes the molecules to spread at a fast rate, forming a cell membrane and a primitive metabolism. In the long run, the researcher is likely to attain strange results from this action. To the land-based theory, a spread of molecules will formulate various land features in comparison to the result that may be realized from the ocean's reactors. Experimental evidence is witnessed with the formation of the orange rocks in Australia's Pilbara. These features were formed by the impacts of self-possessed minerals splashing from geysers in the hot springs. According to Van Kranedonk et al. (2017), these features are termed as geyserites.
Strengths of the Theories: Merger of Molecules and the Formation of Land Features
In conclusion, the theories create a merger of various molecules and gases to give a response to a particular feature on the Earth's crust. For example, the synthesis stage of the reaction witnesses the formation of multiple building blocks such as amino acids in space. The activity will then create various complex molecules that end up in the colonization stage. The formed land features can then help in the act of providing a habitat for some animals and support their lives while on the Earth.
References
Abe Y. 1997. Thermal and chemical evolution of the terrestrial magma ocean. Sci Dir. 100(1-4):27-39.
Higgs PG. 2017. Chemical evolution and the evolutionary definition of life. J Mol Evol. 84(5-6):225-235.
Van Kranedonk MJ, Deamer DW, Djokic T. 2017. Life springs. Sci Am. 317(2):29-35.
