NATS 1675 Chapter Notes - Chapter 22: Stanley Miller, Protocell, Inorganic Chemistry
Document Summary
Required reading: chapter 22 (human evolution) required readings sections 22. 2 (biological evolution), pp. 22. 18 and associated text; bioethical focus, p. 538; human variation, pp. 510: biomolecules are the molecules of life and are organic molecules, life originated 3. 5- 4 billion years ago (bya) from non living matter in a series of 4 stages, stage 1: small organic molecules. Simple organic molecules called monomers, evolved from inorganic compounds prior to the existence of cells. Amino acids, the basis of protein and nucleotides, the building blocks of dna & rna are examples of organic monomers: stage 2: macromolecules. Organic monomers were joined to form larger macromolecules (polymers), such as dna, rna and proteins: stage 3: protocells. Organics polymers became enclosed in a membrane to form the first cell precursors, called protocells or probionts: stage 4: living cells. Probionts acquired the ability to self-replicate as well as other cellular properties.
