Origins Of Life Flashcards
How long ago was the formation of the moon
4.5Ga
Name of the mars embryo that collided with the earth to make the moon
Theia
What process has meant that the moon has stayed with the earth
The moon is tidally locked to the earth and has been slowly moving away since it’s creation
What process led to the initial creation of the ocean and atmosphere
Outgassing from the mantle
Impact of the moon on ocean and atmosphere formation
Initial collision would have created a short lived rock vapour atmosphere which would eventually condense and leave behind a hot co2 and water atmosphere
Where else May earth had got water from
Extra terrestrial meteor impacts from water rich bodies
They were Random events
How old is the oldest zircon
4.4 billion years
What are zircons
A common mineral found in tiny crystals on the earth
What type of oxygen isotope did the zircons contain which indicates the presence of water
Delta 18 oxygen
When were the first oceans
4.4 Ga
What gas was there a lot of and why
Co2 because the suns rays were dimmer, but strong greenhouse effect meant it was warm so oceans could form
What was the late heavy bombardment (3.9 Ga)
Bombardment of the inner solar system by meteorites
What is transpermia
Planets exchange materials eg Martian meteorites found on earth, life could have survived in these meteorites (earliest life)
What time frame is the origin of life
3.8-3.3 Ga
What is the earliest evidence for some form of photosynthesis
13C depleted carbon in graphite
