Hypothesis & Facts
It should be understood that a hypothesis is an idea that rationally explains something and hasn't been fully investigated. A theory is a comprehensive explanation supported by extensive evidence.
Abiogenesis is the hypothesis for which non-living matter becomes living through a natural process. It is a fact that abiogenesis has never been observed and has had several failed attempts at replication in a controlled environment, therefore it remains a hypothesis. While that alone excludes it from being a theory by definition, deductive logic and supporting evidence of steps in the process pushes for abiogenesis as the only valid explanation for the origins of life. The question arises how, rather than if, it happened.
We won't get into the spectrum of false information surrounding life science in general, but there are a few debate tactics in heavy use we would like to point out that listeners and readers should train themselves to look for.
A straw man fallacy occurs when someone distorts or exaggerates another person’s argument, and then attacks the distorted version of the argument instead of genuinely engaging in a debate. This is the most common tactic for creationist arguments against evolution. One example of this claiming that humans descended directly from monkeys, when in fact evolutionary theory posits a common ancestor shared by humans and modern primates. This oversimplification creates a false scientific concept.
Shotgun argumentation is when a person aims to dominate your attention with too many details for you to process at once, spouting off a series of so-called facts one immediately after the other immediately after the other, and so on, giving no pause for thought or two-way dialogue. If you're familiar with early 2000's conspiracy theory web documentaries such as Zeitgeist and related, and others claiming that Hilary Clinton was a reptilian, then you already know exactly what this is. Otherwise, spare yourself from venturing there.
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It should be understood that a hypothesis is an idea that rationally explains something and hasn't been fully investigated. A theory is a comprehensive explanation supported by extensive evidence.
Abiogenesis is the hypothesis for which non-living matter becomes living through a natural process. It is a fact that abiogenesis has never been observed and has had several failed attempts at replication in a controlled environment, therefore it remains a hypothesis. While that alone excludes it from being a theory by definition, deductive logic and supporting evidence of steps in the process pushes for abiogenesis as the only valid explanation for the origins of life. The question arises how, rather than if, it happened.
We won't get into the spectrum of false information surrounding life science in general, but there are a few debate tactics in heavy use we would like to point out that listeners and readers should train themselves to look for.
A straw man fallacy occurs when someone distorts or exaggerates another person’s argument, and then attacks the distorted version of the argument instead of genuinely engaging in a debate. This is the most common tactic for creationist arguments against evolution. One example of this claiming that humans descended directly from monkeys, when in fact evolutionary theory posits a common ancestor shared by humans and modern primates. This oversimplification creates a false scientific concept.
Shotgun argumentation is when a person aims to dominate your attention with too many details for you to process at once, spouting off a series of so-called facts one immediately after the other immediately after the other, and so on, giving no pause for thought or two-way dialogue. If you're familiar with early 2000's conspiracy theory web documentaries such as Zeitgeist and related, and others claiming that Hilary Clinton was a reptilian, then you already know exactly what this is. Otherwise, spare yourself from venturing there.
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Chemical Process 🔧
Simple molecules combine to form both carbohydrates and amino acids. Carbohydrates are composed primarily of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, and are used as an energy source for cells. Amino acids contain these elements as well as nitrogen. The simplest molecule from which amino acids are formed is carbon dioxide, which combines with water to produce carbonic acid, an essential component of amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and are essential for various metabolic processes in the body, namely protein synthesis and repair.
Another molecule of interest is the phosphate group, a phosphorous atom bound to four oxygen atoms. It is essential for the creation of cell membranes and DNA.
Pentose sugar (deoxyribose in DNA) is obtained through a series of biochemical reactions involving various enzymes and substrates within the cell. It is ultimately derived from glucose molecules through a process called the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP).
Nucleotides are cyclamate-like molecules and the building blocks of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), made up of a nitrogenous base, a pentose sugar molecule, and phosphate group. They function in DNA by linking together to form the double helix structure, with the nitrogenous bases pairing up to create the genetic code. There are four types of nucleotides, the differences in their nitrogenous bases, adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine. Understanding the unique characteristics of each type of nucleotide is essential to comprehend how they function and interact in DNA and RNA molecules.
Nucleotides are also the building blocks of ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA contains deoxyribose sugar while RNA contains ribose sugar, and instead of thymine uses uracil. RNA is similar to DNA but it's a separate molecule that carries out different functions in cells. RNA is responsible for carrying out various tasks within cells, including aiding in protein synthesis and gene regulation. RNA helps to essentially read genetic code and produce proteins using amino acids as the raw materials.
Ribosomes are components of cells that translate messenger RNA (mRNA) into instructions for processing chains of amino acids into specific sequences called polypeptides, basic protein. They create proteins for all cell types, playing a crucial role in cellular function. Ribosomes also create other ribosomes by synthesizing ribosomal proteins and ribosomal RNA (rRNA).
Proteins build muscles and tissues, repair cells, carry out chemical reactions and provide structural support. They are comprised of both RNA and amino acids.
Lipids are organic molecules that are key component in the structure and stability of all cell membranes, and they also act as a barrier to govern what enters and exits a cell. Eight types of lipids are:
Simple molecules combine to form both carbohydrates and amino acids. Carbohydrates are composed primarily of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, and are used as an energy source for cells. Amino acids contain these elements as well as nitrogen. The simplest molecule from which amino acids are formed is carbon dioxide, which combines with water to produce carbonic acid, an essential component of amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and are essential for various metabolic processes in the body, namely protein synthesis and repair.
Another molecule of interest is the phosphate group, a phosphorous atom bound to four oxygen atoms. It is essential for the creation of cell membranes and DNA.
Pentose sugar (deoxyribose in DNA) is obtained through a series of biochemical reactions involving various enzymes and substrates within the cell. It is ultimately derived from glucose molecules through a process called the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP).
Nucleotides are cyclamate-like molecules and the building blocks of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), made up of a nitrogenous base, a pentose sugar molecule, and phosphate group. They function in DNA by linking together to form the double helix structure, with the nitrogenous bases pairing up to create the genetic code. There are four types of nucleotides, the differences in their nitrogenous bases, adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine. Understanding the unique characteristics of each type of nucleotide is essential to comprehend how they function and interact in DNA and RNA molecules.
Nucleotides are also the building blocks of ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA contains deoxyribose sugar while RNA contains ribose sugar, and instead of thymine uses uracil. RNA is similar to DNA but it's a separate molecule that carries out different functions in cells. RNA is responsible for carrying out various tasks within cells, including aiding in protein synthesis and gene regulation. RNA helps to essentially read genetic code and produce proteins using amino acids as the raw materials.
Ribosomes are components of cells that translate messenger RNA (mRNA) into instructions for processing chains of amino acids into specific sequences called polypeptides, basic protein. They create proteins for all cell types, playing a crucial role in cellular function. Ribosomes also create other ribosomes by synthesizing ribosomal proteins and ribosomal RNA (rRNA).
Proteins build muscles and tissues, repair cells, carry out chemical reactions and provide structural support. They are comprised of both RNA and amino acids.
Lipids are organic molecules that are key component in the structure and stability of all cell membranes, and they also act as a barrier to govern what enters and exits a cell. Eight types of lipids are:
- Fatty acyls
- Glycerolipids
- Glycerophospholipids
- Sphingolipids
- Sterols
- Prenols
- Saccharolipids
- Polyketides