Question #62bbb
1 Answer
The first cell is a mathematical impossibility. There are no known natural laws that would result in complex information from no information.
Explanation:
Shannon's laws of information imply that the laws of entropy apply to information transfers such as cell phones, and computers.
Scientists have no answers for where the first cell came from only speculations.
One early theory was that lighting created organic molecules in shallow ponds. This organic molecules absorbed other organic molecules becoming larger like the incredible blob. Some of these organic molecules developed a protective covering ( the cell membrane) The problem is that there is no method of information where the blob turned cell can pass on its information to form a new blob.
All cells have DNA which contains information on how to duplicate the existing cell. So the question becomes how did DNA form.
One theory is that crystals in clay were able to bond to nucleic acids The nucleic acid would randomly arrange themselves on the crystals some of the these chains of nucleic acids would by chance have the codes for building simple proteins. The proteins formed would then be able to be used to build the cell membranes and protect the DNA molecules.
Since DNA is used to make RNA which is used to make proteins this theory has been revised to an RNA world, where the first information molecules were RNA instead of DNA.
Recently life has been discovered in deep underwater volcanic vents. These "primitive " hardy bacteria are now thought to be p first life. deep under the ocean they are protected from harmful ultraviolet that can damage DNA and RNA. Also these bacteria have a source of energy from the molecules produced by the volcanos and would not be depended on photosynthesis
The hypothesis that these Archia bacteria formed in the deep volcanic vents does not answer the question of how information rich molecules like RNA and DNA were randomly formed by natural causes.
