Alphabetical Origins: Life and Bio CosmosVersion en ligne

Origins of life topic basics

par Daniel Heras González
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

Starts with A

The process by which life developed gradually from non-living matter.

Starts with B

Atoms that make up living organisms.

Starts with C

The universe as a whole, the broader stage for astrobiology.

Starts with D

The molecule that stores most genetic information in modern organisms.

Starts with E

Theory that says organelles like mitochondria began as free-living cells once engulfed by another cell.

Starts with F

Preserved traces or impressions of ancient organisms used to study early life.

Starts with G

Chemical processes in rocks and minerals that influence life's origins.

Starts with H

Deep-sea chimneys proposed as possible cradles for early life.

Starts with I

Type of molecule that includes water, mineral salts and carbon dioxide.

Starts with J

pace telescope used to study infrared light and exoplanet atmospheres.

Starts with K

Space telescope designed to discover exoplanets using the transit method.

Starts with L

The last universal ancestor of all organisms.

Starts with M

Classic experiment simulating early Earth chemistry to form organic compounds.

Starts with N

Bioelement present in amino acids and nucleic acids.

Starts with O

Scientist who, along with Haldane, proposed that organic molecules could form from inorganic precursors on early Earth.

Starts with P

Hypothesis proposing that life or its building blocks may have arrived on Earth from space.

Contains Q

Water in this state is considered one of the main requirements for habitability.

Starts with R

Molecule proposed to have played an early role because it can store information and act as a catalyst.

Starts with S

Discredited hypothesis that life can arise directly from non-living matter under ordinary conditions.

Starts with T

Shallow coastal environments where evaporation could concentrate molecules and favour prebiotic reactions.

Starts with U

Simple organic compound found in prebiotic chemistry experiments. Part of urine.

Starts with V

Geological environments that provided heat, gases and chemicals on early Earth.

Starts with W

The precise distance between wave crests of light used in spectroscopy to identify chemical fingerprints and biosignatures across space.

Contains X

Organism able to survive very harsh environmental conditions.

Starts with Y

Two-word expression used to describe our planet during the period when prebiotic chemistry occurred.

Contains Z

Region around a star where temperatures may allow liquid water on a planet’s surface.