Purchase Solution

Origins of Life on Earth: Francis Crick

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

An interesting topic relevant to organic chemistry is the origins of life on Earth, Francis Crick, co-discoverer of the structure of DNA, believes that life couldn't have possibly formed on Earth, and supports the notion of panspermia.

What types of limitations and obstacles must any plausible origin of life scenario overcome, and why did Crick believe life couldn't have formed on Earth?

Purchase this Solution

Solution Summary

Discusses the origins of life on Earth as well as the limitations and obstacles these theories must overcome.

Solution Preview

Hi there,

There are a number of objections/limitations that panspermia arguements come across and struggle to overcome. Here are but a few:

1. There are a number of features of space that prove it extremely damaging towards lefe (hence, limiting the probablity of it existing out there!), such as exposure to radiation stellar storms and cosmic rays

- a counterarguement that champion the theory claim that environments could exist withing the cores of meteors/comets that protect life from such factors.

2. It is hard to see how bacteria could ...

Purchase this Solution


Free BrainMass Quizzes
Functional groups in Organic Chemistry

You will be tested on the names of functional groups in Organic Chemistry. It is very important to know the functional groups to understand Organic reactions.

Match Elements with their Symbols

Elements are provided: choose the matching one- or two-letter symbol for each element.

Thermochemistry

The quiz helps in revising basic concepts about thermochemistry.

General Chemistry - Classification of Matter

This test will assess your knowledge on the classification of matter which includes elements, compounds and mixtures.

Organic Chemistry Naming: Alkanes

This is a quiz which is designed to assist students with learning the nomenclature used to identify organic compounds. This quiz focuses on the organic compounds called Alkanes.