Scientific Principles of Life's Origin, Evolution, and Fossil Dating

Origin of Life and Early Biomolecules

Inorganic matter can be transformed into organic compounds under certain environmental conditions (demonstrated by Miller, 1953). Life arises from the existence of organic matter (simple biomolecules) that can evolve into complex biomolecules under favorable environmental conditions.

The Role of Ribozymes and Early Life

Ribozymes (RNA + enzymes) can be replicated, leading to copies identical to the originals. These molecules can evolve into biomolecules such as microscopic algae cells that perform photosynthesis and release primitive oxygen.

Stromatolites are remnants of the oldest fossils found, dating back 3,500 million years ago.

Evolutionary Concepts

Darwin's Theory of Evolution

Since the formation of the first cell, natural selection has driven the evolution of living populations, favoring better adaptation to the environment and leading to the extinction of certain species. This process continues until the appearance of modern species, which in turn will continue to evolve.

Neo-Darwinism (The Synthetic Theory)

The Synthetic Theory unifies genetic concepts with natural selection. Given that individuals within a population are not genetically identical, those individuals possessing genetic mutations that provide better adaptation to the environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Biodiversity and Species Survival

Biodiversity is the richness of different species within a specific area, maintained in a balanced proportion. Greater diversity leads to greater genetic wealth and a higher possibility of genetic evolution, thereby ensuring the survival of species.

Methods for Dating Geological and Organic Material

Various scientific methods are employed to determine the age of organic and inorganic matter:

Dating Organic Matter: Carbon-14 Method (C14)

The C14 method measures the amount of carbon remaining in a fossil. This technique relies on the known half-life of Carbon-14, which decays by half every 5,700 years. This method is typically only valid for fossils up to 25,000 years old. For older fossils, other isotopic methods are necessary.

Dating Inorganic Matter

• Thermoluminescence: Used to date ancient ceramics by analyzing the heat applied during firing.
• Sedimentary Rock Analysis: Used to date the antiquity of activity within a specific territory.

Potassium-Argon Method

This method provides data on the antiquity of fossils dating back millions of years by dating the surrounding volcanic material. The antiquity of the material is determined through the study of electromagnetic wave propagation.