Cell theory and the nature of life Flashcards
1
Q
What are the three points of cell theory?
A
- All organisms are composed of one or more cells.
- Cells are the basic unit of life
- All cells arise from pre-existing cells
2
Q
Why was a membrane required for making self-replicating polymers in early life?
A
Water was highly abundance so hydrolysis reactions were more favoured.
Membranes help concentrate reactants inside vesicles
3
Q
What is a amphiphile?
A
a molecule with a hydrophilic and hydrophobic end
e.g. phospholipids
4
Q
what is the Warm pool hypothesis for the origin of life?
A
Life started in clay soil
- trapped in galleries between layers w/ charged surfaces
- cycles of drying and rehydration lead to nucleotides being adjacent in the absence of water.
- amphiphiles formed lamellae films
