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Did Life Emerge In Ponds Rather Than Ocean Vents?

Posted by Unknown on from the life-evolved-in-coca-cola dept.

ananyo writes "The prevailing scientific view holds that life began in hydrothermal vents in the deep sea. But a controversial study (abstract) suggests that inland pools of condensed and cooled geothermal vapor have the ideal characteristics for the origin of life. The study hinges on the observation that the composition of the cytoplasm of modern cells is very different to that of seawater. On the other hand, the mix of metal ions in cytoplasm is (almost exclusively) found where where hot hydrothermal fluid brings the ions to the surface — places such as geysers and mud pots. There are a number of problems with the study, however — for instance, a lack of land 4 billion years ago would have made it difficult for life to start in such pools."

9 of 97 comments (clear)

  1. My grandpa wasn't a monkey, or pond scum! by elrous0 · · Score: 5, Funny

    First you college boys, with your fancy book smarts, try to tell me my grandpa was a monkey. Now you're calling him pond scum! Jesus will make you commie elitists pay when you die!

    --
    SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
    1. Re:My grandpa wasn't a monkey, or pond scum! by Haxagon · · Score: 4, Funny

      Not if they're backed by your commie bitcoins, he doesn't!

    2. Re:My grandpa wasn't a monkey, or pond scum! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

      Better than going to hell because of taking a human-written book as the word of God. He really doesn't like it if you put words in His mouth.

    3. Re:My grandpa wasn't a monkey, or pond scum! by SJHillman · · Score: 3, Funny

      You didn't know that Jesus posts as Anonymous Coward?

    4. Re:My grandpa wasn't a monkey, or pond scum! by g0bshiTe · · Score: 4, Funny

      Considering how he was treated when he was alive, I don't blame him.

      --
      I am Bennett Haselton! I am Bennett Haselton!
  2. Spoilers by eternaldoctorwho · · Score: 5, Funny

    I know that a River can come from Ponds.

  3. Re:No by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Ponds at the time were not powerful enough to run Forth. Only ocean vents had enough power for the early Forth implementations.

  4. OMG by bwintx · · Score: 3, Funny

    Life began in skin care products? Bizarre.

    /ducks

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  5. Re:All Good Things... by SJHillman · · Score: 3, Funny

    There are those who believe that life here began out there, far across the heavens with tribes of humans...