Theories on the Origin of Life

Main supporters of Spontaneous Generation

Bodies and organs have been designed to full meet the needs of the environment

Also called abiogenesis or biopoesis

experiment set-up was boiled gravy/broth

All different kinds of animals and plants were created at ones.

Life evolved in the oceans during a period when the the atmosphere was containing H2, H20, NH3, CH4, CO2

life was given to Earth by extraterrestrial life forms

Things originated spontaneously from inanimate objects

Living things can only arise from living things and cannot be spontaneously generated.

life had originated from other planets in the universe and came to earth on asteroids

Life may have begun at submarine hydrothermal vents

All organism were created in the same way they exist today

organic molecules somehow metabolized to create first cells (heterotrophs) which gave way to the emission of carbon dioxide which created autotrophs

experiment set-up was jars and meat

proposed by richter in 1865

life came from outside the solar system and travelled with debris

life came from within the solar system and travelled with debris

Proposed by Stanley Miller and supported by Urey

experiment set-up was boiled broth and sterilized flasks

inorganic compounds (water/ocean) was synthesized by lightning making it into organic compounds (amino acids)

Supported by the experiments of Spallanzani, Redi, Pasteur

Proposed by Alexander Oparin