Most of the questions concerning the development of life on Earth are answered by the evolutionary teachings of Darwin, a scientist who revolutionized the scientific world two centuries ago. However, Darwin did not give an exact answer to the question of how the first living organism appeared. In his opinion, the spontaneous generation of bacteria occurred by chance, based on a number of favorable conditions and the availability of the necessary material for the cell. But here's the problem: the simplest bacterium consists of two thousand enzymes. Based on such factors, scientists calculated: the probability of the appearance of the simplest living organism in a billion years is 10¯39950%. To understand how insignificant this is, we can give a simple example with a broken TV. If you put two thousand parts from a TV set in a box and give it a good shake, then the probability that sooner or later there will be an assembled TV set in the box is approximately equal to the probability of the birth of life. And in such an example, adverse environmental factors are not even taken into account. If the parts are still lined up in the correct order, this does not mean that the assembled TV, for example, will not melt due to too high a temperature,waiting outside the box.
Evolutionism and Creationism
Nevertheless, life appeared on Earth, and the mystery of its origin haunts the best minds of mankind. At the beginning of the 20th century, the conclusion about the origin of life on Earth was determined by the presence or absence of faith in God. Most atheists adhered to the theory of the accidental origin of the first cell and its evolutionary path of development, while believers reduced the secret of life to the design and creation of God. For creationists (as the supporters of intelligent design are called), there were no incomprehensible questions or riddles: everything from the first cell to the depths of space was created by the Supreme Creator.
Primary broth
In 1924, the scientist Alexander Oparin published a book in which he brought to the scientific world a new hypothesis of the origin of the first simplest organism. In 1929, Oparin's theory of the origin of life caught the interest of scientist John Haldane. The British researcher was engaged in a similar study and came to conclusions that confirmed the doctrine of the Soviet scientist. The general interpretation of the theories of Oparin and Haldane was reduced to the following principle:
- The young Earth had an atmosphere of ammonia and methane, devoid of oxygen.
- Thunderstorms affecting the atmosphere have led to the formation of organic matter.
- Organic matter accumulated in large quantities and variety in large bodies of water, which was called the "primordial soup".
- In certain placesa large number of molecules were concentrated, sufficient for the origin of life.
- The interaction between them led to the formation of proteins and nucleic acids.
- Proteins and nucleic acids make up the genetic code.
- Combinations of molecules and genetic code formed a living cell.
- The cell was nourished from the primordial broth.
- When the necessary substances disappeared from the nutrient medium, the cells learned to replenish them on their own.
- The cell has its own metabolism.
- New living organisms evolved.
The Oparin-Haldane theory answered the main question of supporters of Darwin's theory about how the first living organism could have appeared.
Miller's experiment
The scientific community is interested in experimental testing of the primordial soup hypothesis. To confirm Oparin's theory, the chemist Miller came up with a unique device. In it, he modeled not only the primitive atmosphere of the Earth (ammonia with methane), but also the alleged composition of the primary broth that made up the seas and oceans. Steam and an imitation of lightning were supplied to the device - a claim discharge. During the experiment, Miller managed to obtain amino acids, which are the building blocks of all proteins. Thanks to this, Oparin's theory has gained even greater popularity and significance in the world of science.
Unjustified theory
Miller's experience has been of scientific value for thirty years. However, inIn the 1980s, scientists found out that the Earth's primary atmosphere did not consist of ammonia and methane, as stated in Oparin's theory, but of nitrogen and carbon dioxide. Moreover, the chemist neglected the fact that, together with amino acids, substances were formed that disrupt the functions of a living organism.
This was bad news for chemists around the world, who adhered to what they then thought was the most fundamental theory. How, then, did life originate if the interaction of nitrogen and carbon dioxide forms an insufficient amount of organic compounds? Miller had no answer, and Oparin's theory failed.
Life is the mystery of the universe
Proponents of evolution were once again left without suggestions about how the first bacterium could have appeared. Each subsequent experiment confirmed that the living cell has such a complex structure that its accidental appearance is possible only in science fiction literature.
Despite scientific refutation, Oparin's theory is often found in modern books on biology and chemistry, because such an experience had historical value in the scientific community.
