Deep Sea-Vent Theory
Beginning of Life
Fun Facts :)
- Before living cells were around, metals and gases reacted together in a purely chemical sense, according to predetermined “pathways.” There were only so many compounds around back then and only so many ways they could react together.
- Less than a century ago, people expected the ocean floor to be as featureless as the surface of the water above.
- The first form of life in hydrothermal vents were heated by the mineral seawater spewing from cracks in the Earth's crust, creating a gradient in positively charged protons that served as a "charge" to begin the creation of life.
How life began through deep sea-vents
- In 1977, scientists discovered living communities around the seafloor hydrothermal vents, far from sunlight and living off a chemical soup.
- Inspired by these finds, scientists later proposed that hydrothermal vents provided an ideal environment for the creation of life during early Earth.
Who is associated with this theory?
- Günter Wächtershäuser is the chemist associated with the theory.
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) has taken his theory into farther research and continue to delve into the theory today.
How Life Evolved After it Began
- Scientists believe that the first form of life living in hydrothermal vents were protists and bacteria.
- Now various types of bacteria, fish, worms, and crabs live in these deep areas.
Accepting the facts...
- This theory was suggested in the late 1970's.
- The theory is more widely accepted for the origin of life now than it was 30 years ago.