BI110 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Alexander Oparin, Cyanobacteria, Chloroplast
Document Summary
Emergent since characteristics arise from many simple interactions. All life acquires energy from environment and uses it to maintain order. Organisms able to adjust themselves (i. e. structure, function, behaviour, etc. ) in response to environment. 3. 2 - the chemical origins of life. Life evolved on earth since sun is far away enough that water can remain in liquid state. Earth within habitable zone of solar system. Biologically important molecules can be synthesized outside of living cells. Abundance of water vapour in primordial atmosphere due to abundance of hydrogen, carbon dioxide, ammonia, and methane (oxygen almost nonexistent) Oparin and haldane suggested that organic molecules could"ve formed in primordial atmosphere. Key --> early atmosphere was reducing atmosphere (due to large amts. of hydrogen, methane, ammonia); such molecules contain many electrons and hydrogen. Today"s atmosphere is oxidizing atmosphere; high levels of oxygen present; oxygen accepts large amounts of electrons and is reduced to water.
