Listen & Learn: Abiogenesis

Learn the most popular scientific theory about the beginning of life on Earth

Pre-listening vocabulary

• mystery: a situation that is difficult to understand or explain
• observe: to see or notice something
• ancestor: a relative that lived a long time ago
• molecule: a group of connected atoms that form a chemical substance
• bond: to become attached to something
• replicate: to create a copy

Listening activity

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:55 — 2.6MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | More

Gapfill exercise

Abiogenesis is the process that causes non-living materials to become living things. Abiogenesis is one of the greatest mysteries in science. Early life likely began in a “ soup” in the ocean. Scientists have observed that all kinds of life are made of very similar chemicals. People, plants, animals, and bacteria all share a ancestor, which lived about 4.2 billion years ago. Most scientists agree that life probably began when molecules in the chemical soup bonded to create RNA. RNA can cause the chemical reactions that made early life possible, and it can also store . This allows it to replicate itself.  Some scientists have tried to begin the process of RNA bonding in . However, no one has ever observed abiogenesis. Because all life is made of the same chemicals, many scientists believe that abiogenesis has only happened on Earth. 

Comprehension questions

See answers below

1. Early life likely began
   a. in the atmosphere
   b. in the ocean
   c. on the Earth’s surface 
   
2. All kinds of life are made of
   a. very similar chemicals
   b. very different chemicals
   c. an equal mix of similar and different chemicals 
   
3. Life probably began when molecules bonded to form
   a. RNA
   b. DNA
   c. mRNA

Discussion/essay questions

1. The origin of life on Earth is one of humanity’s most important and controversial questions. Why do you think this is? Do you think religion and science have the same purpose?

Transcript

Abiogenesis is the process that causes non-living materials to become living things. Abiogenesis is one of the greatest mysteries in science. Early life likely began in a “chemical soup” in the ocean. Scientists have observed that all kinds of life are made of very similar chemicals. People, plants, animals, and bacteria all share a common ancestor, which lived about 4.2 billion years ago. Most scientists agree that life probably began when molecules in the chemical soup bonded to create RNA. RNA can cause the chemical reactions that made early life possible, and it can also store information. This allows it to replicate itself. Some scientists have tried to begin the process of RNA bonding in labs. However, no one has ever observed abiogenesis. Because all life is made of the same chemicals, many scientists believe that abiogenesis has only happened once on Earth. 

Answers to comprehension questions

1b 2a 3a