Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Ask a Scientist

Ask a Scientist
    When I asked my questions: How can we all have the same ancestry in life?  If we did come from
one ancestor, what made us develop into the many species of life that we have today?  I was
disappointed that the result that I received was no answer found.  When this happened I thought about
it and restated my question.  Did life start with one organism? With this question I did receive an answer
to my question. The answer to my question explained was the origin of life was a process that took a
long time and occurred in many gradual steps.  This part of life I already knew because of my studies of
evolution.  What I didn’t know was that there are three hypothesis of the origin of the first organic
molecule.  The scientist proceeded to explain to me about each of the steps: the first is the organic
molecule spontaneously synthesized in a highly reducing prebiotic atmosphere, but there is no prove
that the atmosphere of the Earth had a reducing atmosphere.
     The second hypothesis was the organic molecules originated in deep sea hydrothermal vents,
catalyzed by the energy released from a reaction between hydrogen sulfide and iron sulfide. But there
is no prove for the synthesis of organic carbon-based molecules.
      The third hypothesis consist of the first organic molecule came from meteorites that impacted the
Earth. Molecules such as amino acids have been found in the remnants of meteorites on Earth. Because
of this belief scientist are excited about exploring space.
    I believe that life could have originated from a combination of the last two.  The reason I believe this is
there has been proved that organism can exist at the high temperatures that was on Earth at the
beginning and life exist in the coldest habitat on Earth.  With the ability to adapt to its environment a
molecule would replicate and accumulate variation that would lead to the development of more
complex functions, and organisms.
      With this in mind, I realize that this is a useful tool that my students could also use.  It will help them
answers questions, and like me if the question that it asks cannot be answered.  By restating the
question could find them the answer or give them a starting point to research.


Resources

2 comments:

  1. Barbara,
    Did you actually get an email response to your question, or was this answer that was already in the system because someone else already asked a similar question?

    I am glad that you got a response. I agress with you that sometimes we have a good question, but we need to restate it so we can get the necessary answer. Since I have not gotten a response and I am trying to find the anser to my question I have been having a hard time stating things to find the answer I need.

    -Julie

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  2. Barbara,
    What an interesting question. It is also interesting that we don't really know the answer. I agree that this is a great example to show students if they are to use and type of search engine. Many times if my students don't get an answer right away they want to give up. This is a good example of perseverance!

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