PortalsOS

The origin of life might be linked to deep-sea hydrothermal vents, where mineralized sponges with cell-like pores could have facilitated the formation of life by providing a structured environment for chemical reactions.

The adaptation of cells to internal selection pressures, rather than external environments, may explain why single-celled algae and complex multicellular organisms share similar cellular structures.

Nick Lane argues that life on other planets is likely to be carbon-based and water-dependent due to the commonality of these elements. He suggests that out of a thousand planets with life, 999 might follow this pattern, with only one being radically different.

If you think of the human race on Earth, if you thought of us as like one giant superorganism, you would think, oh. Oh, they figured out electricity and now they're starting to grow together.

Mitochondria, derived from bacteria, generate energy by creating an electrical charge across a membrane. This charge is equivalent to 30 million volts per meter, akin to a bolt of lightning, showcasing the colossal energy potential within cells.

Nick Lane posits that the electromagnetic fields generated by membrane potential might indicate our physical metabolic state in relation to the environment. This could redefine how we understand consciousness and the role of mitochondria, potentially opening new research directions.

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.

Hydrothermal vents, driven by the mineral olivine, are likely to be found on any wet, rocky planet. These vents produce hydrogen gas in alkaline fluids, a fundamental process that could lead to the emergence of life.

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.

Despite the vast number of planets, the unique development of eukaryotes on Earth suggests that while other methods of achieving complexity might exist, they are not easily realized in nature.