In the Rise of Life, Several Steps Have Been Proposed

question 129

Short Answer

In the rise of life, several steps have been proposed, beginning with the formation of building-block monomers from simple molecules.The next step involved polymerization of monomers to form more complex polymers.Polymerization reactions were likely facilitated by conditions that increased the concentrations of monomers.But this step may never have resulted in the emergence of living cells without the formation of a(n) _______ that enclosed reacting molecules within a protocell, separating them from the surrounding environment.The protocell would have protected the molecules and facilitated their interactions in ways that could never have been achieved by clay surfaces or evaporating pools of water.

---

Definitions:

Thalamus

A brain structure that acts as a principal relay station for sensory information, directing it to appropriate areas of the brain for processing.

Cortex

The outermost layer of the brain, involved in high-level functions such as sensory perception, thought, reasoning, and memory.

Smell

The sense by which odors are perceived, involving the detection of chemical stimuli by the olfactory system.

Peripheral Nervous System

The segment of the nervous system composed of the nerves and ganglia that are located externally to the brain and spinal cord.