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Unread 25-07-2005, 17:57
Marc P. Marc P. is offline
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Re: are we alone in the universe?

Quote:
Originally Posted by KenWittlief
I didnt come up with it myself.

It is based on the number of molecules in the most simple - single cell organisms
But life began from simple amino-acids, with nothing more than a mixture of hydrogen, water, methane, and ammonia, all of which are common materials, no doubt found throughout the universe. Amino-acids have been created in a lab under conditions simulating the environment of early Earth. From another site:

Further studies showed that some amino acids would have combined with hydrogen cyanide (HCN), which is a byproduct of volcanic activity. This combination would form purines and pyrinidines, which are used to make nucleic acids, which in turn create DNA.

So essentially, atoms wouldn't have to form complex cells initially, but rather, start with more simple organic compounds, and combine/evolve into more complex molecules from there. This seems much more likely, and as it's been proven in the lab, is far from impossible to happen in other solar systems.
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