Essential Biology D.1 Origin of Cells and Organelles
Due Date(s):
Student Name:
1. Outline the four essential processes needed for the spontaneous origin of life on earth. Add
details beyond the list given in the course syllabus. Include examples, evidence, characteristic
features.
2. Visit this site: http://www.ucsd.tv/miller-urey/ and try various combinations of gases to see
which gives you the most production of organic material. The steps listed to the right of the
animation are not necessarily in order! List the successful mixture of gases and steps in using
the apparatus.
3.
View the short clips with interviews of Stanley Miller. (a) What parts of the early earth were
represented by which parts of the experimental apparatus? (b) Why was he focused on finding
amino acids in the resulting mixture as opposed to nucleic acids?
http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com, http://intranet.canacad.ac.jp:3445/BiologyIBHL2/Home
http://i-biology.net/options/d-evolution/d1-origin-of-life-on-earth/
Essential Biology D.1 Origin of Cells and Organelles
Due Date(s):
Student Name:
4. An alternative hypothesis is that comets may have delivered organic compounds to earth.
Considering this possibility, study Figure 1 and Table 1 on page 291 of your text and respond to
the questions at the bottom of the page (IN CLASS)
5. Discuss possible locations on earth (or extraterrestrial!) where conditions would have allowed
the synthesis of organic compounds, sometimes referred to as biochemical evolution. Think
about environments would offer the necessary conditions suggested by Miller-Urey and other
evidence. (note that the command term here is not “list,” but “discuss”)
http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com, http://intranet.canacad.ac.jp:3445/BiologyIBHL2/Home
http://i-biology.net/options/d-evolution/d1-origin-of-life-on-earth/
Essential Biology D.1 Origin of Cells and Organelles
Due Date(s):
Student Name:
6. The importance of nucleic acids as the original organic molecules is presented in a model known
as the “RNA world.” Do some quick research to determine who first used this term. What are
his/her qualifications as an authoritative source on this subject?
7. Explain how RNA possesses qualities that allow it to be considered so integral to the initial
biochemical evolution. (i.e., what features of the molecule provide for information transfer?
What features allow for facilitation of biochemical reactions?) Which of these two properties do
you think was the most surprising to the science world?
8. Define “protobiont.” What features would suggest that a structure may have indeed been a
protobiont? List three examples of protobionts and some of their particular features.
http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com, http://intranet.canacad.ac.jp:3445/BiologyIBHL2/Home
http://i-biology.net/options/d-evolution/d1-origin-of-life-on-earth/
Essential Biology D.1 Origin of Cells and Organelles
Due Date(s):
Student Name:
9. Study the graph below. Circle the point at which (a) oxygen was first produced, (b) oxygen
began to accumulate and (c) oxygen reached current levels.
Knowing that the early ocean was rich in iron, how can you explain the delay between oxygen
production and oxygen accumulation? (Where were these early organisms living?) What can you
conclude about the order of appearance of chloroplasts vs. mitochondria?
http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com, http://intranet.canacad.ac.jp:3445/BiologyIBHL2/Home
http://i-biology.net/options/d-evolution/d1-origin-of-life-on-earth/
Essential Biology D.1 Origin of Cells and Organelles
Due Date(s):
Student Name:
10. Create an annotated schematic to illustrate the endosymbiotic theory of the origin of eukaryotes.
Consider why the theory is referring to the origin of eukaryote and not cells in general. What big
evolutionary transformation is involved here? Good references:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE4CPmTH3xg&feature=related (secondary endosymbiosis, origin
of chloroplast)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8MbPByATFw primary vs. secondary endosymbiosis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6QYDdgP9eg (chemical evolution 2009 - Szostak)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yet1xkAv_HY (chemical evolution 1984 – C Sagan – recreation of
Miller Urey experiment)
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http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com, http://intranet.canacad.ac.jp:3445/BiologyIBHL2/Home
http://i-biology.net/options/d-evolution/d1-origin-of-life-on-earth/
Essential Biology D.1 Origin of Cells and Organelles
Due Date(s):
Student Name:
http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com, http://intranet.canacad.ac.jp:3445/BiologyIBHL2/Home
http://i-biology.net/options/d-evolution/d1-origin-of-life-on-earth/