Origin of Life

Question 1

Fransesco Redi

Answer 1

First to discard spontaneous generation of life

Question 2

Spallanzani

Answer 2

Reinforced Redi’s theory of biogenesis

concluded that micorbes are not formed spontaneously but from those already present in the air

Question 3

Louis Pasteur

Answer 3

• Father of microbiology
• First person to use swan-necked flask
• Came up with the theory of biogenesis
• Introduced sterilization

Question 4

Instruments used for sterilization

Answer 4

Autoclave- 121 celsius at 15lb pressure for 15 min
Hot air oven- to sterilize glass

Question 5

Abiogenesis

Answer 5

Theory of spontaneous generation

The theory of abiogenesis states that the evolution of living forms from non-living matter is spontaneous.

Question 6

Biogenesis

Answer 6

microbes are not formed spontaneously but from those already present in the air

Question 7

Biochemical origin of life

Answer 7

Put forward by Oparin and Haldane

Question 8

Oparin-Haldane theory: brief

Answer 8

1. Origin of earth and its primitive atmosphere
2. Origin of molecules and simple inorganic compounds
3. Origin of organic compounds
4. Origin of colloids, coacervates, and individuality
5. Origin of autocatalytic systems, genes viruses and primordial life
6. Origin of primordial cellular forms of life
7. Origin of autotrophism
8. Origin of eukaryotic cels

Question 9

Miller-Urey’s Experiment

Answer 9

Their experiment on abiotic origin of biomolcules proved the Oparin-Haldane concept of the origin of life.
Recreated probable conditions on the primitive earth in the laboratory

Question 10

What were the first organisms

Answer 10

The first organisms were heterotrophic, anaerobic and virus-like nucleoprotein structures

Question 11

Coacervates

Answer 11

clusters or aggregates of large complex organic molecules capable of growth and replication
these are supposed to have given rise to the first cell-like structure

Question 12

Liposomes

Answer 12

A spherical vesicle (tiny bubble) formed by a lipid bilayer enclosing an aqueous compartment

Question 13

Protobiont

Answer 13

• Systems that were considered to have possibly been the precursors to first cells
• First living forms which originated in the primitive ocean
• Agreggate of abiotically produced organic molecules surrounded by a membrane or membrane like structure
• Exhibit properties associated with life like reproduction, metabolism

Question 14

Louis Pasteur experiment

Answer 14

To disprove abiogenesis

1. Broth in flask boiled to kill preexisting microbes
2. As broth cools, condensing water collects, sealing the mouth of the flask
3. Neck is later broken, air can carry microbes in the broth