Did Cellular Life Begin Twice? New Study Points to Two Independent Origins
Researchers say 420 metabolic reactions and DNA analyses suggest bacteria and archaea emerged before free-living cells, with metals helping start life.
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10 Articles
Scientists find evidence for two origins of life on Earth
Scientists probing life’s deepest origins have uncovered evidence that the first free-living cells may have emerged not once, but twice. The findings suggest a striking possibility: life may share one ancient genetic code, yet have undergone two separate transitions into free-living existence.
A study in Science Advances suggests that bacteria and archaeae evolved independently. Read what scientists say about the origin of life on Earth.
Did Cellular Life Begin Twice? New Study Points to Two Independent Origins
Early metabolism may have begun as a mix of metal and enzyme catalysis before bacteria and archaea independently evolved into free-living cells. Four billion years ago, the chemistry that eventually became life may have been unfolding around hydrothermal vents, where naturally occurring metals helped drive reactions before cells possessed the full machinery they use today. [...]
The first free-living cells could have arisen twice on Earth. Bacteria and archaea probably moved independently from dependence on hydrothermal sources to independent existence.
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