Q25.1-2CC - Campbell Biology

Question

How would the appearance of protocells have represented a key step in the origin of life?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The appearance of protocells has represented an abiotic formation of vesicles that can exhibit a key step in the origin of life. These vesicles can have specific properties of life such as metabolism and reproduction in organisms and also attribute keeping the internal chemical environment different from that of exterior surroundings.

Step 1: Protocells

Protocells are the structures responsible for RNA reproduction and have been recognized as the key step in the process of life. They are produced from the aggregation of abiotic factors, including temperature, soil, water, and humidity. 

They are a circular aggregated form of lipids and are referred to as primitive cells of the planet.

Step 2: Self-assembly vesicles

When lipids are mixed with water, vesicles can be produced all of a sudden. This leads to the organization of hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts into two layers. 

Montmorillonite is a mineral clay that can enhance the rate of self-build vesicles and it has given surfaces on pre-historic Earth on which concentration of organic compounds occurs. This has resulted in the formation of vesicles by the reaction of organic molecules.

Step 3: Absorption of RNA

The self-assembly vesicle has aggregated montmorillonite soft clay particles that can absorb RNA and other molecules by attaching them. 

Vesicles have the property of self-reproduction and can expand. They have a selectively-permeable bilayer and are responsible for metabolic reactions by some chemical reagents. These chemical reagents can be a significant key ingredient for life origination.