The First Cell: The Mystery Surrounding the Beginning of Life

This book explores the overlooked environment of continental crust on the early Earth as a potential host to the perfect biochemical conditions for the formation of the first cell. It suggests that the first complexes of continental crust contained interconnected cracks and cavities filled with volatiles, providing the ideal physical and chemical setting for protocell formation and early life. The authors support their hypothesis with laboratory experiments and discuss prebiotic evolution principles. The book is enriched with personal remarks and experiences reflecting the authors' quest to solve the mystery of the first cell.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 178 pages
Publication date: 06 June 2021
Publisher: Springer

This captivating book delves into the fascinating realm of the conditions that paved the way for the emergence of the very first cell. For far too long, a crucial potential environment of the prehistoric Earth has been overlooked as a host to the perfect biochemical conditions necessary for this remarkable process. The very first complexes of continental crust on our young Earth were already teeming with interconnected cracks and cavities, brimming with volatiles such as water, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen.

In this enlightening work, the authors present compelling insights into how these remarkable conditions may have created the ideal physical and chemical environment for the formation of protocells and the earliest stages of life. Through a series of groundbreaking laboratory experiments focused on a diverse range of organic compounds, as well as the synthesis of essential cellular components and the creation of primitive cell-like structures, the authors bolster their hypothesis with a wealth of astonishing findings. Moreover, they explore the principles of prebiotic evolution, shedding light on the aspects of order and complexity that shaped the early stages of life's evolution.

Guided by a clear and engaging narrative, readers are taken on a journey through various stages of hypotheses and re-created evolutionary processes. Throughout the book, the authors intersperse personal remarks and experiences, offering a deeply personal perspective on their quest to unravel the mysteries surrounding the first cell. This captivating exploration of the origins of life is enriched with a wealth of knowledge, making it an essential read for anyone interested in the fascinating complexities of our universe's beginnings.

Weight: 286g
Dimension: 234 x 156 x 11 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030453831
Edition number: 2020 ed.