the chances of a protein molecule with the minimum complexity threshold to function having all the right bonds between the amino acids, being all the right versions of amino acids,and linked up in a specified sequence being 1 in 10 to the 125th power,which puts it far beyond impossible,and this being only 1 molecule in a minimally complex cell needing between 300 to 500 of these molecule.Chance?
2007-02-22 02:25:46 · 15 answers · asked by W J 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I should have knew better than to expect a straight answer.
2007-02-22 02:33:16 · update #1
The common thought is that the earth is 4.5 billion years old.
Now let's suppose that a molecule combination is tried every second.
The 60 in a minute, 1440 in an hour, 525600 in a year, 2365200 billion in an 4.5 billion years.
Still just a drop in the bucket right? It's about 12% of 10 to the 125th.
But think of how big the world is. I would think that a molecule combination would occur more often than one in a second.
It's also possible that organic material came from space. And that could mean much more time was given on a different planet.
2007-02-22 02:44:03 · answer #1 · answered by theFo0t 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Throw a thousand matchsticks on the floor. Now, what are the chances of being able to throw them down again and every one landing in EXACTLY the same place as the first time? You could probably do it until the universe died and never repeat the first result. So, the first result was far beyond impossible, right? Wrong. The probability of one *particular* configuration of life forming might be infinitesimal, but if there are an almost infinite number of ways that life *could* exist then the probability of life existing at all could be approaching 1. i.e. complete certainty.
2007-02-22 02:33:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Well, your description is a little off, but fine, I'll allow it.
"linked up in a specified sequence being 1 in 10 to the 125th power"
in one shot? no, probably not.
Over the course of a couple of billion years? much more likely.
Far likelier than a christian sky daddy.
2007-02-22 02:32:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Why does it have to be one or the other? I think creation works with evolution. While there is solid scientific fact that every species has evolved, it can not fully explain how they started in the first place.
2007-02-22 02:29:42 · answer #4 · answered by fashion chick 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
what are the chances that a set of simple inorganic elements would form complex organic molecules given energy and a few weeks?
pretty high it turns out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miller-Urey_experiment
2007-02-22 02:34:21 · answer #5 · answered by Brendan G 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
when the oceans were formed they had organic molecules in every sea reacting with each other dont you think over time something will happen
2007-02-22 02:30:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's a 1 in a trillion chance someone will win the lottery, but someone does win.
2007-02-22 02:28:24 · answer #7 · answered by janicajayne 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Why are you asking such a complex science problem to a bunch of humanities majors?
Go ask that question in the biology section.
2007-02-22 02:30:02 · answer #8 · answered by NHBaritone 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
The odds of something happening or not happening don't seem to alter the fact of it having happened.
2007-02-22 02:43:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer to your question can be found in any science textbook. Get busy.
2007-02-22 02:32:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋