PortalsOS

Bacterial evolution is fascinating because they maintain small genomes but have access to a large pan genome. For example, an E. coli cell might have 3,000 to 4,000 genes but access to 30,000 to 40,000 genes. This allows them to adapt by borrowing genes from other strains, which is crucial for survival in different environments.

The continuity between geological environments and cells suggests that life forms are continuous with Earth's geochemistry, challenging the idea of a 'Frankenstein moment' where life suddenly zaps into existence.

The emergence of eukaryotes is seen as a major bottleneck in the development of complex life. Despite the vast number of planets that could potentially give rise to eukaryotes, it seems this event is incredibly rare, with Earth being a unique example.

Nick Lane explains that protocells in hydrothermal vents could self-organize and grow by deterministic chemistry, leading to early forms of heredity. This sets the stage for more complex life forms.

The fundamental bottleneck in the evolution of life is not the transition from geochemistry to early life, but rather the development from nucleotides to RNA, DNA, and ribosomes. This suggests that early life forms could be common, but complex life is less so.