"The life puzzle: On Crystals and Organisms and the Possibility of a Crystal as an Ancestor" by A.G. Cairns-Smith Book Link: https://amzn.to/3EJxO1s - The book considers the connections between living and non-living forms, proposing that the origin of life was more closely associated with inorganic crystals than with organic polymers.
"Genetic Takeover: And the Mineral Origins of Life" by A. G. Cairns-Smith Book Link: https://amzn.to/41o5ryS - Three key ideas replace the notion that a "primordial soup" of organic molecules was essential in this explanation of how life on Earth evolved
"Seven Clues to the Origin of Life: A Scientific Detective Story" by A. G. Cairns-Smith Book Link: https://amzn.to/431HsXc - The book presents a layman's version of the author's "Genetic Takeover," proposing a detective-style investigation into the origin of life, suggesting a curious conclusion will emerge
(Affiliate links: If you use these links to buy something, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.)
Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-isq40ARB9g&list=PL5v4txWD4CM3wVFhtRZfPxzsS9iEaD0Hg
Videos sourced from: NASA, NOAA, USGS
The hosts investigate the origins of life by exploring the chemical processes and environments that could have facilitated the formation of complex organic molecules and self-replicating systems. A key focus is on the potential role of minerals, particularly micro-crystalline clays like montmorillonite, in catalyzing essential reactions such as RNA oligomerization and providing a surface for organizing organic compounds. The texts discuss the challenges in achieving the high degree of organization required for life's building blocks, as well as the transition from simpler, potentially inorganic, genetic materials to the complex DNA/protein-based systems we know today. They consider the possibility of genetic takeover, where earlier life forms with different genetic materials were replaced by the more efficient systems (RNA, DNA and Amino Acids). The sources also highlight the role of selection in guiding the evolution of these systems towards biological efficiency and complexity.
#OriginOfLife #Astrobiology #PrebioticChemistry #RNAOligomers #Montmorillonite #ChemicalEvolution #Catalysis #EarlyEarth #PrimordialSoup #ExtraterrestrialLife #OriginsResearch #ClayCatalysis #Astrochemistry #EarthHistory #Protocells #shadowbiosphere #shadowbiome #meteorite #meteor #bennu #nucleobases #alternatelife #aliens #science #microbiology #weirdcience #hiddenlife #deepscience #unexplainedphenomena #unsolvedmysteries #ufo #uap #fringescience #deepdive #skeptic #podcast #synopsis #books #bookreview #ai #artificialintelligence #booktube #aigenerated #history #alternativehistory #aideepdive #videoessay