lesson 8 - history of life

Question 1

what made the origin of life possible on early Earth?

Answer 1

water vapour, volcanic gases, and chemical reactions

Question 2

abiotic synthesis of small organic molecules

Answer 2

chemicals join together to form building blocks of life (amino acids)

Question 3

joining of these small molecules into macromolecules

Answer 3

small blocks combine to form larger blocks (proteins)

Question 4

packaging of molecules into protocells

Answer 4

molecules get enclosed in membranes; creating cells

Question 5

origin of self-replicating molecules

Answer 5

molecules that could replicate themselves; made copies

Question 6

what role did deep-sea vents play in the origin of life?

Answer 6

deep sea vents provided an environment with the right chemical conditions for abiotic synthesis, potentially leading to the formation of the first cells

Question 7

stromatolites

Answer 7

oldest fossils found that look like layered rocks (made by prokaryotes)