I've read that life on Earth probably originated in Outer Space. This makes sense because the DNA of all the species on earth are extremely similar, which means (do tell me if I'm wrong!) that it all evolved from one source.
So does this mean aliens have the same DNA as we do, meaning they have the same "ancestors" as us ? Or is it possible to have life without DNA ? With a completely different molecule that performes the same functions ? And in that case, why don't we have that sort of life-forms here on Earth ?
Are there any biologists who succeeded at developing new primitive life-forms ? If so, do they have DNA or not ? If they do, they wouldn't be really "new", I guess, since it'd have to be the DNA of a pre-existing species, wouldn't it ?
2006-08-16 03:51:05 · 6 answers · asked by lily w 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
What you've read was probably very clever, but only speculation. There's no evidence of that. The fact that every living thing is similar can be due to the fact that they are from the same source... Why couldn't that be Earth?
Web search the words Urey-Miller Experiment.
These guys recreated the early Earth's conditions and made electrical sparks that simulated lightening and ultraviolet radiation into a flask containing methane, ammonia and water vapor and after 30 years, they got nucleotide sequences and amino acids... not a DNA molecule, but the precursors of one... Maybe if they had another million years or two, they would have.
2006-08-16 04:08:37 · answer #1 · answered by hyperhealer3 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not knowing what conditions are needed for the emergence of life, it is only possible to speculate about its existence elsewhere in the universe...
Scientists believe that lightning striking the atmosphere of the earth long ago caused certain simple chemicals like ammonia to form into more complicated chemicals that could lead to living cells. These chemicals then could hook together in chains to form molecules that direct life, such as RNA and DNA. One theory also says that fats in the primitive ocean acted on by waves, formed large globules enclosing these life directing chemicals, and that these structures eventually formed
primitive cells. Then inside the cells, conditions could evolve to allow the chemistry of life to work better and better, and so on.
2006-08-16 11:09:59 · answer #2 · answered by insane 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
of all, there is not yet proof that aliens even exist. Assuming there is life on other planets, that life will likely be of a very simple form (microbes). Regardless, it is actually unlikely that such life would evolve the same way as Earth. DNA is just a protein that is easily replicated. Other proteins could perform the same function as could other non-protein compounds. It's even be theorized that alien life would not even be carbon-based.
2006-08-16 11:02:44 · answer #3 · answered by Rob asks 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are companies now that create Amino Acids, which are building blocks for life, but not life itself. The previous post mentions the two most popular theories on how life got started.
All life on Earth is carbon based, but some people have thought that Silicon might also work as a foundation for life. But we have not found any evidence of such.
2006-08-16 12:05:00 · answer #4 · answered by Doob_age 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They might live on RNA, or a differently structured chemical.
2006-08-16 12:05:42 · answer #5 · answered by ysk 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ROFL
LMAO
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
2006-08-16 10:57:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋