Evolutionists announced a breakthrough: they understood how life could have arisen on Earth

In their study, scientists experimentally demonstrate that RNA molecules ranging from 100 to 300 nucleotides in length

are formed when nucleoside triphosphates leak through basalt glass. This material, as scientists note, was widespread on the early Earth during the Catarchean (about 4.5 billion years ago).

“At that time, basalt glass was everywhere inEarth. For several hundred million years after the formation of the Moon, frequent impacts, combined with abundant volcanism on the young planet, formed molten basaltic lava, the source of basalt glass. The impacts also evaporated water, forming land, providing aquifers where RNA could form," says Steven Moijsis, one of the study's authors.

Scientists note that nucleoside triphosphates,necessary for this process were also available on the early Earth. In previous studies, they have shown that nucleosides are formed from a simple reaction between ribose phosphate and RNA bases. And under the influence of nickel, coming from the fall of meteorites, nucleosides and activated phosphate contained in lava glass form nucleoside triphosphates.

The researchers note that the new work givesunderstanding of the full cycle of molecular evolution. It shows a simple path from single carbon molecules to complex RNA. According to the authors of the work, most of the previously existing models described complex chemistry, the difficulty of implementing which made it difficult for the spontaneous emergence of life.

“The beauty of this model is its simplicity.It can be checked by high school students at chemistry lessons. Mix the ingredients, wait a few days, and detect the RNA,” said Jan Spaczek, a researcher at the Applied Molecular Evolution Foundation who was not involved in this work.

Cover image: Tim Bertelink, Wikimedia Commons

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