Scientists have made significant breakthroughs in understanding how life on Earth began. Researchers from Scripps Research discovered that early chemical structures may have come together to create the building blocks of life around 4 billion years ago. The team focused on phosphates, which are vital to many functions in modern cells.
Their findings suggest that phosphorylation, the process of adding phosphate groups, occurred earlier than thought. This step likely led to more complex double-chained protocells, which were better equipped to handle environmental challenges. Lab experiments with chemical mixtures found that these vesicles gained stability when exposed to certain conditions, hinting at an ancient environment that could have allowed for the emergence of life.
The research team also investigated how temperature, metal ions, and pH influenced the sturdiness of protocells. Their observations suggest several routes for protocells to split, fuse, or combine components. This study provides a fresh perspective on how evolving cell-like structures may have undergone a stepwise assembly that drew from naturally occurring materials.
The findings highlight the importance of subtle environmental shifts in nudging protocells toward more lifelike behavior. The researchers believe that continued collaboration among chemists, biologists, and engineers will help pinpoint the mechanisms that gave rise to functional cells.
Source: https://www.earth.com/news/how-did-the-first-cells-life-form-on-earth-scientists-think-they-finally-figured-it-out