Gobsmacking Study Finds Life on Earth Emerged 4.2B Years Ago
A study reveals life on Earth began 4.2 billion years ago from a common ancestor resembling a prokaryote with an early immune system. Research from the University of Bristol suggests rapid ecosystem establishment. Published in Nature Ecology & Evolution.
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A recent study has revealed that life on Earth emerged as early as 4.2 billion years ago, shortly after the planet's formation. By analyzing the genomes of present-day organisms, scientists determined that the last universal common ancestor (LUCA) gave rise to all life on Earth. LUCA was likely similar to a prokaryote and possessed an early immune system, indicating an ancient arms race with viruses. The research, led by a team from the University of Bristol, used a molecular clock to estimate the time of divergence among organisms. Despite Earth's inhospitable conditions at the time, LUCA's metabolic processes probably produced acetate. The study suggests that ecosystems can establish relatively quickly in a planet's evolutionary history, hinting at the potential for life on Earth-like biospheres elsewhere in the Universe. The findings were published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, shedding light on early Earth and the emergence of life.
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