The dawn of life
Scientists believe that the Earth was formed from an enormous cloud of gases about 5 billion years ago. Atmospheric conditions were harsh (there was no molecular oxygen, for example), the environment was very unstable, and conditions were unsuitable for life as we know it.
Many scientists believe that the first and simplest living oeganisms appeared on Earth about 2.8 bilions years ago. These organisms probably fed on molecules in a sort of 'soup' (called the Primordial soup) which made up same of the shallow seas on the Earth at that time. A question that has always intrigued scientists, philosophers and religious leaders is:
What distinguishes these first living organisms from the molecules in the primordial soup?
In other words, what is life?
Scientists believe that the Earth was formed from an enormous cloud of gases about 5 billion years ago. Atmospheric conditions were harsh (there was no molecular oxygen, for example), the environment was very unstable, and conditions were unsuitable for life as we know it.
Many scientists believe that the first and simplest living oeganisms appeared on Earth about 2.8 bilions years ago. These organisms probably fed on molecules in a sort of 'soup' (called the Primordial soup) which made up same of the shallow seas on the Earth at that time. A question that has always intrigued scientists, philosophers and religious leaders is:
What distinguishes these first living organisms from the molecules in the primordial soup?
In other words, what is life?
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